Wonky fruit ban thrown out by Parliament - Lyon

1.06.55pm GMT Thu 25th Mar 2010

George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, has welcomed today's European Parliament vote to keep misshapen fruit on Europe's supermarket shelves.

Mr Lyon co-authored the amendment striking down the reintroduction of marketing rules in the fruit and vegetables sector - the so-called "wonky fruit" rules.

Commenting after the vote, Mr Lyon said:

"Eccentric laws about bendy bananas and curvy cucumbers lead to food wastage and exasperation with the EU. The shape of a fruit is irrelevant to its taste and nutrition.

"It is up to consumers, not bureaucrats in Brussels, to make decisions on what we can and cannot buy.

"We must guard against these laws returning through the backdoor, and Parliament was right to strike this down."

Mr Lyon also warned that in voting for a "European Union quality logo", the Parliament has recommended something that means nothing to consumers and could flout international law.

Mr Lyon said:

"A European quality logo is neither known nor understood by shoppers across the EU.

"Its introduction is not only a waste of money, but may be seen as undercover protectionism and a distortion of trade rules."