News

12 November 2008

Misshapen Carrots !

The European Commission last week scrapped bureaucratic "marketing standards" that set precise measurements for the appearance, weight and size of 26 types of fruit and vegetables - including carrots and the brussels sprout.

However, the notorious "straight bananas" regulation which dictates that the fruit must be "free from malformation or abnormal curvature" will remain in place because "no objections from banana growers, buyers, traders or consumers have been received regarding this requirement".

The fruit and vegetable rules were dropped to cut red tape after growing protests from supermarkets, grocers, and farmers, including the Prince of Wales, who have been forced to throw away produce that does not measure up to exacting requirements drawn up by Eurocrats decades ago.

An estimated 20 per cent of the British harvest is thrown away to comply with the EU regulations, rules which have been calculated to add as much as 40 per cent to the price of some vegetables, such as carrots.

source; the telegraph