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Not Every EU Member Nation Plans to Follow the EU Food Supplements Directive

England MP's Bill aims to 'disapply' vitamins directive

 

27 June 2005 - London, England

A new Bill designed to keep up the political pressure on the Government in the wake of the European Court's upholding of the Food Supplements Directive (FSD) is being introduced into Parliament by the Conservative MP, Bill Cash.

The Bill (The Food Supplements - European Communities Act 1972 Disapplication) has cross-party support and is evidence of the determination of MPs to keep up momentum up on the FSD.

On July 13 the prime minister faced two separate questions from MPs on the subject of the Directive. In answer to a question from the Labour MP Dr Brian Iddon, Tony Blair said: " … It is important that any control regime is extremely light touch, and we are doing our level best to make sure that this is the case. In addition, there is the issue of maximum dosages, which it is also important for us to handle in a way that accords with common sense rather than a somewhat exaggerated view of the dangers."

Responding to a question from the Conservative MP Christopher Chope, the prime minister reiterated his comments and added: " … it is important to ensure that we do not end up with a situation in which the action taken is wholly disproportionate. That is what we will be working towards."

Commenting on the latest political developments, Consumers for Health Choice director, Sue Croft, said: "We have been much encouraged by the prime minister's comments. They show he understands the depth of feeling on this issue by British consumers. Two years ago, over one million supplement users signed a petition asking that their favourite safe and effective health products remain available. Their plea was ignored at the time, but perhaps the tide has now turned."

Bill Cash MP added: "The British Parliament has the power and the right to legislate inconsistently with European legislation under well established constitutional law, provided the new legislation is clear and unambiguous".

He further added: "My Bill would disapply the European Directive and the European Court judgment, and provide for the regulation of food supplements on our own terms at Westminster".