§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has made to EU officials on behalf of UK businesses in relation to plans for a draft Directive on nutritional supplements for sports competitors; and if he will make a statement. [175282]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 24 May 2004]: A working document for a Directive on foods intended to meet the expenditure of intense muscular effort, especially for sports people, was issued by the European Commission in April 2004 and an expert working group was held on the 10 May 2004. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) represents the United Kingdom for this work and its officials attended the expert working group.
The FSA has already had discussions with the industry about the draft Directive and will continue to do so as the negotiations progress.