It is understood that the European Parliament’s consideration of the original Commission proposal is now unlikely to be completed until the Parliament’s Plenary Session in mid-July. No further formal attaches discussions are planned before that opinion is received. With a formal opinion from the Parliament therefore not likely before late July, and given the Summer break, it seems possible that the Council would not be in a position to agree a Common Position on the amending directive until the Autumn.

The letter gives details of the issues relevant to the UK. One major point at issue is the incorporation of flour treatment agents into the scope of the Directive. The UK considers that this would be premature since the SCF is still considering the safety evaluation of a number of the agents concerned.