Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 16 January (HL13474), whether they are considering impacts of the agreement beyond the agrifood sector, including on the vitamins, minerals and supplements industry.

As part of the UK-EU SPS Agreement currently being negotiated, the Government is making a sovereign choice in the national interest to align in some areas where it makes sense to do so, as set out in the Government’s recently published announcement on legislation in scope. This includes Regulation 1925/2006 on the addition of vitamins and minerals and certain other substances to foods and Directive 2002/46/EC relating to Food supplements. While those negotiations are ongoing, we cannot comment further on the SPS agreement.

The Government is committed to working with industry, particularly those impacted on the above, on preparing for implementation, noting that the precise detail and timing of this process – including legislative arrangements are subject to discussions with the EU.