Banned Produce Returning!!!!!

WELL…….WELL……..The loony’s in the EU have actually got their act together for once.

On Tuesday, EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel stated that the regulations on the shape of produce were an example of "unnecessary red tape."
"We don't need to regulate this sort of thing at EU level. It is far better to leave it to market operators. July 1 marks the return to our shelves of the curved cucumber and the knobbly carrot," the commissioner told the AFP.

"It makes no sense to throw perfectly good products away, just because they are the 'wrong' size and shape," she added.

This means that strangely shaped fruits and vegetables, such as bendy cucumbers and knobbly
carrots, will be allowed back into European supermarkets on July 1.

Last November…… 27 EU nations approved a repeal of the regulations, although the decision was not unanimous. For the past 20 years, European regulations had made sure that only standard-looking produce make it to market. In all, standards for 26 fruits and vegetables are being eliminated. The rules have been ridiculed by many, including major British supermarket
chain Sainsbury's, who called the regulations “bonkers.”

Others member states including France..... SURPRISE……SURPRISE..... have argued in favour of the rules, saying the removal of the restrictions will lead to a decrease in prices, thus impacting the poor hard pressed French farmers...... YEH RIGHT

This decision will eliminate 100 pages of EU legislation….UNBELIEVABLE!

The loony rules are being eliminated for apricots, artichokes, asparagus, aubergines, avocados, 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 chicory.

WAIT FOR IT……. Ten other fruits and vegetables, including apples, citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, lettuces, peaches and nectarines, pears, strawberries, sweet peppers, table grapes and tomatoes, will continue to have regulations.

Rules for these 10 types of produce are being held in place as part of a compromise with member states….ERR….COULD THAT BE FRANCE PERHAPS! …….that were opposed to the
repeal, although the fruits and vegetables may still be sold if labelled appropriately.

BUT………Bananas, because they are grown outside of the EU, remain under different legislation!!!!!!!!!

The EU never fails to raise a laugh with barmy legislation somewhere along the road!!!