Written question asked by Lord Hain (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 March 1996. It was answered by Baroness Browning (Conservative) on Monday, 25 March 1996 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: What proposals he has received from (a) the CODEX Committee and (b) other bodies associated with GATT to restrict (i) the potency, (ii) the availability and (iii) the trade in vitamin, mineral and other dietary supplements for (1) prophylactic and (2) other use.

Answer: Mr. Hain: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has received from (a) the Codex Alimentarius Committee and (b) other bodies associated with GATT to restrict (i) the potency, (ii) the availability and (iii) the trade in vitamin, mineral and other dietary supplements for (1) prophylactic and (2) other use; and if he will make a statement.[22050] Mrs. Browning: The paper tabled by Germany at the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses from 27 to 31 March 1995, which contained these points, was not a formal proposal, but an early draft for a revised draft guideline for dietary supplements. No proposals concerning dietary supplements have been received from any of the other international standards-setting bodies referred to in the GATT agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

Secondary information