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EU to cut out 'ugly fruit' rules EU to cut out 'ugly fruit' rules
(19 minutes later)
The European Commission is expected to scrap its controversial rules that prevent oddly-sized and shaped fruit and vegetables being sold in Europe.The European Commission is expected to scrap its controversial rules that prevent oddly-sized and shaped fruit and vegetables being sold in Europe.
The commission wants to trim its existing marketing standards for 26 types of produce.The commission wants to trim its existing marketing standards for 26 types of produce.
The rules were introduced to ensure common EU standards, but are regarded by critics as examples of Euro-madness.The rules were introduced to ensure common EU standards, but are regarded by critics as examples of Euro-madness.
Some 20% of produce is rejected by shops across the EU because it fails to meet the current requirements.Some 20% of produce is rejected by shops across the EU because it fails to meet the current requirements.
'Good news''Good news'
The commission says its management committee will scrap the marketing standards for 26 types of fruit and vegetables, which stipulate their size and shape.The commission says its management committee will scrap the marketing standards for 26 types of fruit and vegetables, which stipulate their size and shape.
Consumers care about the taste and quality of food, not how it looks Neil Parish, MEP The types are: apricots, artichokes, asparagus, aubergines, avocadoes, beans, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflowers, cherries, courgettes, cucumbers, cultivated mushrooms, garlic, hazelnuts in shell, headed cabbage, leeks, melons, onions, peas, plums, ribbed celery, spinach, walnuts in shell, water melons and witloof/chicory.
The rules will remain unchanged for another 10 types of produce, however the commission says shops will be allowed to sell these products provided they are labelled appropriately. The rules will remain unchanged for another 10 types of produce, which account for 75% of EU fruit and vegetable trade: apples, citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, lettuces, peaches and nectarines, pears, strawberries, sweet peppers, table grapes and tomatoes.
"Food is food, no matter what it looks like. These crazy rules have to go immediately," Neil Parish, chairman of the European Parliament's agriculture committee, said on Tuesday.
"To stop stores selling perfectly decent food during a food crisis is morally unjustifiable... Consumers care about the taste and quality of food, not how it looks," said Mr Parish, a Conservative MEP.
Over the years the commission's regulations on fruit and vegetables became more restrictive - until stories about straight bananas became part of European folklore, the BBC's Dominic Hughes in Brussels says.
HAVE YOUR SAYI appreciate the theory of this type of thing but surely there are greater issues for the organisation?Richard, BriminghamSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYI appreciate the theory of this type of thing but surely there are greater issues for the organisation?Richard, BriminghamSend us your comments
However, the commission says shops will be allowed to sell these products provided they are labelled appropriately.
Neil Parish, chairman of the European Parliament's agriculture committee said: "Food is food, no matter what it looks like. These crazy rules have to go immediately."
"To stop stores selling perfectly decent food during a food crisis is morally unjustifiable. Consumers care about the taste and quality of food, not how it looks," said Mr Parish, a Conservative MEP.
Over the years the commission's regulations on fruit and vegetables became more restrictive - until stories about straight bananas became part of European folklore, the BBC's Dominic Hughes in Brussels says.
But while scrapping these regulations is about cutting red tape, it also reflects a belief that this just is not the sort of area where the EU should be legislating, our correspondent says.But while scrapping these regulations is about cutting red tape, it also reflects a belief that this just is not the sort of area where the EU should be legislating, our correspondent says.
And he adds that it should be good news for hard-pressed consumers who will see cheaper - if slightly misshapen - vegetables appearing in the shops.And he adds that it should be good news for hard-pressed consumers who will see cheaper - if slightly misshapen - vegetables appearing in the shops.
The new rules are expected to come into force on 1 July 2009.The new rules are expected to come into force on 1 July 2009.
Send your pictures of any odd shaped fruit or veg - to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures of any odd shaped fruit or veg - to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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