EU slices out rules outlawing oddly-sized and shaped fruit

Fruit and vegetables have to comply with detailed EU rules The European Commission has scrapped controversial rules that prevent oddly-sized or misshapen fruit and vegetables being sold in Europe. The EU's agriculture commissioner called it "a new dawn for the curvy cucumber and the knobbly carrot". Marketing standards for 26 types of produce were scrapped, in a drive to cut bureaucracy. The rules were introduced to ensure common EU standards, but are regarded by critics as examples of Euro-madness. Some 20% of produce is rejected by shops across the EU because it fails to meet the current requirements. 'Good news' The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mariann Fischer Boel, said Wednesday's vote by the EU's fruit and vegetable management committee was "a concrete example of our drive to cut unnecessary red... [read full story]