Chamber
Plenary, 05 Mar 2003
05 Mar 2003 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Food Supplements<br />(European Directive)
I agree with Murdo Fraser. The matter is a prima facie case for subsidiarity, because it is obvious that the different cultures and cuisines that are to be found in the UK, Finland and France suggest that we need different systems for food supplements and different potencies. However, I should also say—it might not find much favour with Murdo Fraser—that one reason for harmonising products is that the big pharmaceutical companies would like standardisation throughout Europe. They want to standardise potency downwards, not upwards.
We must deal with what might be done with the directive. The directive contains a list that is not comprehensive. It misses out essential minerals such as boron, which is important for bones and is in nearly all the osteoporosis preparations—osteoporosis is a key concern in the Government's health plan; sulphur, which is in a substance called methylsulphonylmethane and which people use increasingly for joint problems; and silica, which is used in formulations to improve hair and nail quality. Such substances are used by people who want to make themselves as well as they can be. That is supposed to be a Government objective.
For the reasons I have given and many others that, unfortunately, I do not have time to go into but which I hope other members will deal with, I commend the motion to the minister.
We must deal with what might be done with the directive. The directive contains a list that is not comprehensive. It misses out essential minerals such as boron, which is important for bones and is in nearly all the osteoporosis preparations—osteoporosis is a key concern in the Government's health plan; sulphur, which is in a substance called methylsulphonylmethane and which people use increasingly for joint problems; and silica, which is used in formulations to improve hair and nail quality. Such substances are used by people who want to make themselves as well as they can be. That is supposed to be a Government objective.
For the reasons I have given and many others that, unfortunately, I do not have time to go into but which I hope other members will deal with, I commend the motion to the minister.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr Murray Tosh):
Con
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S1M-3830, in the name of Margo MacDonald, on the European directive on food supplements. T...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes that millions of people use food supplements and herbal remedies in the UK each year; regrets that the European Commission has publ...
Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind):
Ind
I thank the people who have been campaigning against this measure for a considerable time and regret the fact that it has taken many of us some time to catch...
Ian Jenkins (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD) rose—
LD
Margo MacDonald:
Ind
I will give way to a superb member of said superb committee.
Ian Jenkins:
LD
The magnificence of the Subordinate Legislation Committee is almost wholly due to the magnificence of its convener, Margo MacDonald. I did not intend to spea...
Margo MacDonald:
Ind
I thank Ian Jenkins. I will call him to speak a lot at next week's meeting of the Subordinate Legislation Committee.There is a chance, before August 2005, fo...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
Margo MacDonald might be familiar with the concept of subsidiarity. Would she agree that the matter that we are discussing is a clear example of an area in w...
Meeting suspended.
Meeting resumed in committee room 1.
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
Before we resume business, I ask Alex Johnstone to move a motion without notice on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau. I am minded to accept the motion.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees under Rule 2.7.2 of Standing Orders, that for the purposes of completing Members' Business on Wednesday 5 March 2003, the Meeting ...
Motion agreed to.
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
The recording of the debate for the Official Report was lost during Murdo Fraser's intervention, so I ask him to repeat his intervention, to which Margo MacD...
Murdo Fraser:
Con
I am terrified to open my mouth. Does Margo MacDonald agree that the principle of subsidiarity should apply to the measure and that it should be up to member...
Margo MacDonald:
Ind
I agree with Murdo Fraser. The matter is a prima facie case for subsidiarity, because it is obvious that the different cultures and cuisines that are to be f...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
Thirteen members had wanted to speak, but I think that we have managed to lose a couple on the way down the road. I ask members to restrict their comments to...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab):
Lab
John McAllion said that history might be in the making and that we might be forming the largest meeting of MSPs outside the chamber—who knows? I am glad that...
Shona Robison (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I welcome tonight's important debate. I thank Helen McDade and John McKee from the save our supplements campaign for the very useful information that they pr...
Alex Fergusson (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
The legislation in question is said to be about food safety, but as Shona Robison has pointed out, the products are already fully regulated under current foo...
Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD):
LD
It is excellent that Margo MacDonald has secured this debate and I particularly appreciated Alex Fergusson's speech.I want to make a few separate points. Fir...
Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab):
Lab
I am grateful to Margo MacDonald for raising the debate in Parliament. The European Committee is currently considering the matter and Helen Eadie will presen...
Mr Lloyd Quinan (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I declare an interest as convener of the cross-party group on autism and as a member of the European Committee. I will confine my remarks principally to peop...
Margo MacDonald:
Ind
As Mr Quinan said, there are "developing" remedies. I wonder whether he is aware that the directive is defective in that it is so structured as to militate a...
Mr Quinan:
SNP
I whole-heartedly agree with what Margo MacDonald just said—in fact it saves my saying it. Little research has been done in this field, particularly for the ...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I commend Margo MacDonald for lodging the motion for this debate. I know that it is customary to say that at members' business, but I say it quite sincerely ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
We are making good progress, but I am minded to accept a motion without notice to extend the meeting by 15 minutes, which should comfortably allow members to...
Members indicated agreement.