HL Deb 08 September 2003 vol 652 cc62-3WA
Earl Howe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Motion agreed by the House on 30 June calling upon the Government to revoke the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003, whether they have any intention of revoking these regulations as requested by the House. [HL4110]

Lord Warner

The Government are obliged to implement the Food Supplements Directive 2001/46/ EC. Failure to do so would be a serious breach of the United Kingdom's obligations under the European Commission treaty and would attract infraction proceedings by the Commission under Article 226 and the likelihood of heavy fines.

Earl Howe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Motion agreed by the House on 30 June relating to the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003, whether they will meet representatives of Consumers for Health Choice to discuss the effects of these regulations. [HL4111]

Lord Warner

The Government's assessment of the impact of the regulations is set out in the regulatory impact assessment; copies have been placed in the Library. My honourable friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health (Miss Johnson) will be meeting with representatives of Consumers for Health Choice and representatives of other consumer groups in the near future.

Earl Howe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Motion agreed by the House on 30 June relating to the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 and calling upon the Government to reopen negotiations with the European Union Commission, whether they will now make the case to the Commission that maximum permitted levels for nutrients in supplements should be set on the basis of safety and sound science; and when they intend to begin such negotiations. [HL4112]

Lord Warner

The Government have always argued that maximum limits for vitamins and minerals in food supplements should be safety based so as to minimise unnecessary restrictions on consumer choice. They continue to press this case with the European Commission and with other European Union member states at every opportunity. Negotiations on maximum limits at European Union level will follow publication of advice from the European Food Safety Authority; we do not expect the European Commission to issue an initial proposal before the end of this year.

Earl Howe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Motion agreed by the House on 30 June relating to the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003, whether they will now undertake a fundamental review of the information that is required to be included in dossiers submitted to the European Food Safety Authority in order to have nutrients and nutrient sources added to the list of permitted ingredients. [HL4113]

Lord Warner

Following representations from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), representatives of United Kingdom food supplements manufacturers will meet with representatives of the European Food Safety Authority in October to discuss requirements for dossier content and the potential for simplified dossiers. In the mean time, preparatory discussions between officials from the FSA and manufacturers' representatives are under way.