HL Deb 19 July 2004 vol 664 cc17-8WA
Earl Howe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish in the Official Report their response to the European Court of Justice on the case against the Food Supplements Directive and the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 brought by the Health Food Manufacturers Association and the National Association of Health Stores; and whether that response will indicate the possible effects on the specialist health food manufacturing and retailing sector, and its consumers; and [HL3755]

What are their aims in responding to the European Court of Justice in the case against the Food Supplements Directive and the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 brought by the Health Food Manufacturers Association and the National Association of Health Stores. [HL3756]

Lord Warner

It is the United Kingdom's practice not to disclose pleadings before the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Therefore the Government do not intend to publish in theOfficial Report their observations in respect of this case.

In responding to the ECJ, the UK Government's aims are to maintain that Directive 2002/46/EC on food supplements is valid as a matter of EC law.