An update from Consumers for Health Choice

An open letter from Sue Croft, Director, Consumers for Health Choice

1st November 2011

To our friends and supporters,

There’s NO PROBLEM ~ so why do we need a SOLUTION?

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard similar comments when speaking about the Food Supplements Directive on vitamins & minerals.  But these words were echoed loud and clear at Consumers for Health Choice (CHC) annual Parliamentary Reception last month by a high profile MP.

The well-known environmental journalist Zac Goldsmith MP described the EU legislation that is closing in on the natural supplements industry as “a classic case of an enormous solution being brought in for a problem that doesn’t exist”.

Goldsmith admitted that when, as editor of The Ecologist, he had first been sent letters by members of the public about the issue he had “binned them”, convinced they were part of a “whacky conspiracy theory”.  But, after being urged by readers to look closely at the detail, he realised the campaign was “completely legitimate”, soon signing up as a now long standing CHC patron.

Goldsmith was passionate in his views: “Let’s be clear. This is bad legislation that will destroy jobs, that will destroy shops and that will destroy choice for millions and millions of people. And it’s completely unnecessary because we already have laws in place to offer proper protection.”

I couldn’t have put it better myself.

The Minister for Public Health, Anne Milton MP was on excellent form too and it was heartening to hear her say “I’m a big fan of Consumers for Health Choice. It really has an impact!”   She also added that the consumer support for CHC was first class and they must keep badgering MPs and MEPs to let them know that these issues matter!

Earlier in the evening Anne Milton said she was “proud of the UK’s liberal market for health food products”, adding that she had learnt of “the enormous benefits people gain from taking supplements” during her training as a nurse.  She also was “aware of the gap that sometimes exists between what we are told by officials and the reality on the ground”. And making a personal pledge on the issue of consumer choice, she said: “Sometimes people make choices that make others uncomfortable, but personally I will always do what I can do to protect consumer choice.

Back to our day to day campaigning, it remains imperative to make sure not just MPs but all MEPs from every Member State understands how damaging the Food Supplements Directive could be to everyone if no substantial changes are made.  The crucial part still to be decided is the setting of ‘Maximum Permitted (dose) Levels (MPLs)’.

It seems the Directive is a low level priority at the moment, especially with Commissioner Dalli, but we know this apparent lack of movement is deceptive and are continuing to campaign hard by briefing and re-briefing those in Brussels in a position to help consumers keep their much valued supplements.  While it is unlikely that progress to set levels will be achieved before the end of this year the delays we have achieved so far will not last forever, especially as the determination from France and Germany for low doses remains constant.

We are fortunate in that Giles Chichester MEP has agreed to sponsor an event in the European Parliament next year for CHC on the subject of MPLs. This will be a great opportunity for us to again brief a number of MEPs of various nationalities on the issue and gain their support.  It will also give us a further opportunity to correct much of the misinformation circulating within the Parliament.  Timing is all important here so we are looking at dates in May and June 2012.  That should give us time to raise the required funds, bring other European supporters together and produce materials that will make a lasting impact.

So, our work continues.  Can you help us please by making a small donation?

A new Petition will soon be in British Health Food Shops for your signature.  We are working with the National Association of Health Stores to raise further awareness of the Directive – and this Petition is aimed specifically at MPs and MEPs.   Next time you are out shopping, pop into your local HF store and add your name.  It will only take a moment and will encourage local MPs and MEPs to back their local businesses help consumers ~ they need to work together to hold back the heavy hand of Brussels.

Finally, this is how you can continue to help.

Your friends and family, all consumers, retailers, practitioners and everyone you know all have an important part to play and I urge you once again to seek their support.

1.  Have your family and your friends signed our Petition?  Please encourage them to add their names if not.  www.consumersforhealthchoice.com/phpPETITION/ 

2.  Can you join those already generous consumers by making a donation to keep the campaign going and help with the Brussels event please?  Any amount you can manage will help make a difference.  Thank you.  The on-line donation system is quick, simple and safe.  www.consumersforhealthchoice.com/donate.htm

3.  Finally, please forward this note to your own E-contacts, both in the UK and Europe, asking them to also take action as we have suggested.  Writing to their own MEPs would also be very helpful.

Thank you again so very much for anything you can give and for everything you are doing.  I know you understand how this is so important for us all.

Very best wishes

Director, Consumers for Health Choice.