EU agriculture officials were expected to vote this week in favour of scrapping marketing regulations governing the size and shape specifications of 26 fresh produce lines.

The abolition would become effective on July 1, 2009 and would cover apricots, artichokes, asparagus, aubergines, avocados, beans, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflowers, cherries, chicory, courgettes, cucumbers, cultivated mushrooms, garlic, hazelnuts in shell, headed cabbage, leeks, melons, onions, peas, plums, ribbed celery, spinach, walnuts in shell and watermelons. But specifications for some of the largest volume lines such as apples, bananas, pears, citrus, strawberries and tomatoes would remain unchanged whatever the outcome of the vote.

The deregulation was proposed by the agriculture commissioner Mariann Fishcer Boel her self and the vote was expected to be tight as major production countries including Spain, France, Italy and Greece oppose the regulation. The UK has supported the change. Rural affairs secretary Hilary Benn MP said: “I think a large dose of common sense is required here. Frankly, if shops want to sell, and consumers want to buy, funny-shaped carrots and turnips then I do not really see a problem.”

Under the proposed new regulation, produce classified as “imperfect” is likely to be made available for sale separately from its conventionally sized and shaped counterparts with wording to the effect that it is intended for processing.

Topics