EU Food Supplements Directive

HC Deb 19 December 2002 vol 396 cc1044-5W

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers the Government has to modify the implementation plans for the EU Food Supplements Directive. [88183]

Ms Blears

The EU Food Supplements Directive came into force on 12 July 2002. The Government is not in a position to modify the timing of implementation, which is set out in Article 15 of the Directive. The Food Standards Agency, on behalf of the Government, is currently consulting on draft implementing Regulations, which are required to be in place by 31 July 2003. Article 4(6) of the Directive enables member states to allow extended transitional arrangements in some circumstances; the draft Regulations would take advantage of this provision. Article 10 enables member states to require notification of products; the draft Regulations would not introduce a notification system.