Health food shops could face closure if tighter EU laws on herbal remedies come into force in the UK, opponents have warned.

Celebrities Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney are backing protests against the proposal to subject herbal remedies to the same rigorous checks as pharmaceutical drugs.

These proposals will regulate out of existence hundreds of products and destroy the UK industry

Sue Croft, Consumers for Health Choice

Critics warn that the proposed legislation would not only needlessly restrict consumer choice but hit retailers hard.

Now the Department of Health has extended its consultation on the proposal until the end of July.

It will then decide whether to give its approval in the European Council of Ministers.

Differing regulations

The proposed directive on traditional herbal medicines aims to standardise regulations across Europe.

But the group Consumers for Health Choice says it would mean long established remedies, such as liquorice and ginkgo biloba, being taken out of health food shops, until they have been subjected to a long, expensive testing process.

Sir Paul fears health food ban

It accuses the government's Medicines Control Agency (MCA), which advises the Department of Health, of playing down the potential damage to an industry worth �70m a year.

It says the legislation would effectively ban any herbal medicinal product that has not been on the market for 30 years.

Director Sue Croft said: "Traditional herbal remedies have been used safely for hundreds of years, yet these proposals will regulate out of existence hundreds of products and destroy the UK industry."

She continued: "It is outrageous that a government agency can force through plans that will jeopardise consumer health, remove consumer choice and destroy a safe, respected industry without being held to account over its actions."

An MCA spokesman said the agency's consultation showed that "there is a considerable body of support for the directive from within the herbal sector."

But ministers had extended the consultation period until the end of July mindful of concerns.

European health ministers would have to vote on the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive before it becomes law.