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EU Directives.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2008

Tuesday, 30 September 2008

Questions (45)

Emmet Stagg

Question:

148 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the EU proposals to control the sale of vitamins and other health supplements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32175/08]

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Written answers

I presume the Deputy is referring to The Food Supplements Directive, 2002/46/EC, which makes provision for the European Commission to determine maximum and minimum levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements. This matter remains under preliminary consideration at European Commission level. The Commission is currently working, in consultation with Member States, to develop a methodology under which maximum safe levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements would be set. My Department is taking the lead on this matter on behalf of the Irish authorities and has advised the European Commission that it should proceed on a cautionary basis with a view to setting maximum limits for vitamins and minerals based on scientific evidence. The intention should be to protect the consumer from possible risks to health resulting from the inadvertent over consumption of vitamins and minerals.

I await the outcome of the European Commission's deliberations. My understanding is that the Commission intends to submit a Proposal for a Directive on the matter to the European Parliament in early 2009. This Proposal will, thereafter, be the subject of further discussions between Member States. I will discuss any matters arising with Government colleagues. Ultimately Ireland's position on the European Commission's Proposal will need to take full account of the views of other bodies with responsibilities and expertise in this area in addition to the views outlined to my Department by Irish consumers, industry stakeholders, and other interested parties on the matter.

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