Plaid Cymru has warmly welcomed today's European Court of Justice decision to back an appeal from the health food industry which had feared that food supplements on sale in the UK could be banned under the new EU Food Supplements Directive.

The new rules were due to come into force in August but today's landmark ruling now casts doubt on this.

There has been much concern amongst health food retailers that the new directive could affect the sale of up to 5,000 products containing some 200 nutrients. Under the new rules only products on an EU approved list would be permitted for sale and food supplements would have to contain what they advertise on the label.

Caernarfon MP and Plaid Spokesperson on social policy Hywel Williams said:

"A lot of people feel that they get a boost and an added sense of well being from taking natural health remedies. Where's the sense in banning them when there's no evidence they cause any ill effects? There has been a great deal of concern in the health food sector - health food shops are growing in popularity and can do without the uncertainty that these new EU rules would bring. We need to get the right balance between accurate food labelling and consumer safety. We're certainly not there yet but hopefully this landmark ruling will be a step in the right direction."

Plaid Cymru Euro-MP Jill Evans says today's decision is a major victory for the consumer and for common sense. She has been a strong opponent of the excessive legislation and voted against when the issue came before the European Parliament. Ms Evans has been contacted by many people in Wales opposed to the new legislation.

Jill Evans MEP said:

"Today's ruling is wonderful news and I'm absolutely delighted. It's a victory for consumer choice and common sense. I understand that we need new rules to help the consumer but needlessly banning perfectly healthy products is unnecessary.

The new rules threatened to ban so many products which people have been taking quite safely for years. Of course we need clear labelling - that's something we very much support - but there's no sense in banning health food supplements as some sort of unfortunate side effect. I hope that today's decision at the European Court of Justice will allow for a sensible rethink." Diwedd/Ends.

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