Put wonky fruit and veg back on the shelves says MEP

4.30.00pm GMT Thu 6th Nov 2008

West Midlands Euro- MP Liz Lynne has said that European Commission plans to abandon rules on wonky fruit and veg being excluded from supermarket shelves should be brought forward.

Liz, who is the LibDem Agricultural Spokesperson for England and Wales in the European Parliament, weighed into the debate after supermarket giant Sainsbury's started their own campaign against the regulations.

Current rules state that only fruit and veg which conform to strict guidelines on size and shape can be put out for sale. This has meant that up to 20% of produce is thrown away despite being perfectly safe to eat and just as tasty as straighter, larger harvests.

The European Commission has already made moves to change the rules, but current proposals will only lift the ban from July of next year. However, Liz Lynne said that this timetable needs to be brought forward:

"At a time when many people are feeling the pinch of the credit crunch there is absolutely no reason for throwing away so much perfectly good produce. Some supermarkets have started selling these as a cheaper basic range, which is a good thing.

"The Liberal Democrats want unnecessary regulations such as this abolished. If the food is safe, if the knobbly carrot tastes just as good as the arrow-straight one, then why not simply lift the ban immediately?

"Unfortunately some national Governments are trying to slow this progress, arguing fruits need to be of a particular size or shape. As long as customers know what they are buying - that should be enough."

ENDS