Local MEP Liz Lynne wants straight answers in wonky fruit debate

4.19.58pm GMT Wed 24th Mar 2010

Liz Lynne is demanding answers on possible plans to ban curved carrots and wonky cucumbers

Liz Lynne, Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands , will tomorrow back a joint amendment tabled by Lib Dems in the European Parliament to stop attempts to restore the ban on the sale of wonky fruit and vegetables across the European Union.

The controversial ban is being reconsidered after Spanish MEPs won the support of the European Agriculture Committee in a vote last month.

Lib Dems voted against the measure then and are hoping to amend the agricultural quality policy to delete any mention of the so-called "community marketing rules" - which dictate the size and shape of produce grown in the European Union - when it goes to a full vote of the European Parliament tomorrow.

Commenting, Liz Lynne said:

"The EU should not be in habit of debating the bendiness of cucumbers or the width of carrots. Consumers just want quality fruit and veg at a fair price.

"When this ban was introduced, the price of produce went up and the amount of waste sky-rocketed but the food tasted exactly the same.

"With a rising global population and growing concern about food security, it would be madness to once again ban fruit and vegetables simply because they are not a standardised size or shape.

"Instead of throwing perfectly decent food away, it is this proposal that should be thrown on the scrapheap."

ENDS