Backbench MPs are teaming up with experts in natural healthcare to campaign against restrictive new European laws.

New EU directives will mean that 270 popular nutritional supplements will be banned, including selenium - the antioxidant effects of which are believed to be beneficial in preventing cancer.

Another directive could also mean any herbal medicine that has not been in use for more than 10 years in Europe will also be outlawed.

Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd is to present a petition to Parliament signed by 500 customers of vegetarian restaurant and health food shops in his constituency against Britain's adoption of the rules.

Mr Lloyd said the legislation was flawed. "The list of supplements and herbal remedies has been accepted, but there is a three-year period when others can be added to it," he said.

"The government is pushing the Food Standards Agency to look at each supplement and remedy from the point of view of food safety.

"There needs to be laws stopping quack cures from poisoning people, but these things should be judged properly on the basis of science."

Mr Lloyd is planning to take up the matter with health ministers and MEPs.

Early Day Motions have been proposed by backbench MPs to amend the directive on permitted vitamins and minerals and also to renegotiate the 10-year rule.

According to nutritional adviser Ursula Gothard: "If the laws are brought in, many tried and tested products used by millions for treatment of acute and chronic conditions will be unavailable."

From Healthy.net