News

12th July 2005

Vitamin defeat for European consumers

Conservative MEPs disappointed by court decision.

Conservative MEPs have reacted with dismay to a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) which is set to ban hundreds of vitamin and mineral supplements currently on sale in Britain.  ECJ judges ruled today that the Food Supplements Directive was valid, despite an opinion by the court's advocate-general in April that the directive was "as transparent as a black box".

John Bowis MEP, Conservative health spokesman in the European Parliament, said the decision was a defeat for common sense and a victory for overregulation. Mr Bowis was at the forefront of a Conservative campaign to scrap the directive, which he said was about the EU interfering in people's lives, rather than promoting any health benefits. Conservative MEPs launched a campaign website and an online petition on the issue which received an overwhelming response, particularly from health food stores.

The directive would mean some 300 nutrients and nutrient sources in the United Kingdom would be banned unless they could obtain inclusion on a positive list - a move requiring excessive levels of testing and red tape. Amongst the vitamins banned were: boron, important for healthy teeth and bones; sulphur, important for healthy skin; and 1000mg Vitamin C tablets. Mr Bowis said: "The millions of British people who use vitamin and mineral supplements to benefit their health and well-being will be devastated by this decision. It is a defeat for common sense and consumer choice. It is even more baffling that the judges have completely disregarded the advocate-general's forceful opinions about the inadequacies of the directive.

"This is a completely unnecessary restriction on our freedom of choice. The millions of British people who use vitamin and mineral supplements to benefit their health and well-being will be angered by the court's decision.

"This directive is not about consumer safety. It is an unwarranted intrusion by the EU into people's lives. Not a single person has died by taking a vitamin supplement and this directive is an affront to the many millions of Britons who have taken these tablets safely and legally for many years.

"Conservatives have been fighting this badly thought-out law both in Brussels and at Westminster. Labour MEPs voted to ban these vitamins and further extend the scope of the nanny state.

"Even the Prime Minister now belatedly recognises that the Government was wrong not to oppose this in Council. It will now be down to him to ensure that the maximum flexibility in the directive is used in transposing this into British law. There is still scope, for example, for Britain to permit the continued sale of those products that are currently on sale but have not been covered by the exemption in the directive.

"There would, however, still be the problem of dosages and new products. Mr Blair needs now to give a lead to the EU in amending this unacceptable legislation.

"Justice has not been done today."