LOBBYING, based on coherent argument, is an essential and welcome ingredient of any democratic political process.

The European Parliament is no exception. But MEPs draw the line when confronted by narrow sectional interests, who deliberately distort the truth and run scare stories, strictly for their own benefit.

Recently, I have been deluged with correspondence from scores of worried health food supplement users. They were reacting to widespread but highly misleading press reports that the EU was set to ban such products.

This all arose out of proposed new European laws, to ensure that the products do not pose a threat to people's health, especially when high dosages are used. The plan is to set up a register of supplements that have been thoroughly checked and approved for safety.

The 18-month timescale, initially proposed for manufacturers to register their products, will now be extended to three years, thanks to an amendment successfully put forward by one of my Labour MEP colleagues.

British companies have much to gain from this legislation, It will give them far more opportunities to sell their products in other EU member countries, safeguarding existing jobs and helping to create new ones.

In short, no one is trying to ban the vitamin and mineral supplements that some people have been using for many years. These products will still be widely available through all the usual retail outlets and websites.

If you are still unconvinced, don't just take my word for it, listen to what others have had to say. The Consumers Association urging MEPs to support the EU directive, said. "Opponents have attacked the proposed directive claiming that it will deny access to "natural" food supplements. This is not true."

Leading UK manufacturer, Peter Black Healthcare Ltd also urged MEPs to vote in favour. Its Managing Director wrote: "My company warmly welcomes the proposed food supplements directive." He added. "My belief is that it is both fair and workable, balancing the issues of consumer safety with freedom of choice."

So why did the newspapers and television say something entirely different? The answer is simple. They were picking up on propaganda issued by a US-based medical research team and based on half-truths or complete fabrications, that was deliberately designed to frighten food supplement users.

To make matters worse, this lobby launched a scurrilous e-mail offensive so overwhelming that it caused the European Parliament's e-mail system to crash. That might appear funny to some. But it meant in practice that genuine constituents with real issues to raise simply couldn't get through to their MEPs.

Deliberate misrepresentation by narrow sectional interests does not advance a cause but distracts from it. Such campaigns also do nothing to help develop laws to give people the protection they deserve.

By Gary Titley, Labour MEP for the North-west