MEP celebrates European Commission decision on wonky fruit and veg.

11.19.00am GMT Wed 12th Nov 2008

Local MEP Liz Lynne has said that she strongly welcomes the EU Commission's decision to scrap rules banning wonky fruit and veg from supermarket shelves that is expected to be announced later today.

The regulations are expected to be lifted on 26 types of produce including basic veg such as carrots and cucumbers.

The Commission had already been looking at lifting the measures, which enforce strict standards on the size, colour and shape of fruit and vegetables, but formal changes had not been confirmed.

The decision to bring the changes forward comes just weeks after supermarket-giant Sainsbury's started a campaign against the regulations.

Liz Lynne, who is the Liberal Democrat Agricultural Spokesperson for England and Wales in the European Parliament, had previously called for the Commission's timetable to be brought forward. Speaking today she said that she was pleased with the Commission's expected announcement:

"The rules on fruit and vegetables are completely unnecessary and are a major restriction on consumer choice. Therefore I whole-heartedly support the decision to scrap the current procedures.

"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.

"Many Supermarkets and other food sellers would like to be allowed to sell odd-shaped vegetables, possibly even at a cheaper price than the arrow straight carrot or beautifully curved banana. Giving customers a cheap option is most certainly a good thing. As long as customers know what they are buying - that should be enough."

ENDS