3 December 2003

Critical Dietary Supplements report due soon

The influential Health Select Committee is expected to shortly release its findings into a plan to harmonise the rules governing dietary supplements between New Zealand and Australia.

The controversial Government proposal faces strong opposition from the New Zealand industry, which maintains it will be good for large Australian companies, but will cost the New Zealand economy by penalising local companies.

Industry opposition has been intense, especially from the New Zealand Health Trust which urged the Select Committee to ask Health Minister Annette King to look at alternative ways to regulate the NZ dietary supplements sector.

“The dietary supplements sector in New Zealand employs thousands of people in hundreds of businesses,” said Trust spokesperson Amy Adams.

“The proposed harmonisation will see compliance costs leap to a level that many companies can’t afford.”

“The NZ Health Trust and others fear that this will stunt our rapidly growing sector, while leading to open slather for big Australian companies. But at the end of the day the consumer will suffer with higher prices and less choice,” Ms Adams said.

“The Select Committee gave industry an excellent hearing, and we are hopeful that its report – which we expect out any day now – will support our view”

“Better regulation models have been shown to exist and the Government should give these careful consideration before handing the power to make regulation for New Zealand to an Australian based agency”

ENDS