The European Commission – which seems to be acting on different information to the rest of the world – looks set to push ahead with its plan to reduce the maximum residue level for DPA on top fruit (see page 4).

The implications of this decision will be far-reaching and seismic, throwing the sourcing of apples and pears in the EU into chaos and potentially leaving UK supermarkets without some of the most popular varieties. Empire apples may even cease to be grown by American producers disillusioned with the EU stance.

While it’s hard to criticise a decision aimed at protecting human health, the rationale in this case is harder to swallow given the US Department of Agriculture and many others have deemed DPA safe, and given the potential damage it could do to top-fruit consumption, and by extension, healthy eating.

There also seems to be an ongoing anti-chemical drive in Brussels that, while laudable on some levels, is going beyond science and into the realms of a witch hunt.

The EC needs to be absolutely sure it wants to go down this path, because with new markets opening up all over the world, before we know it Europe will find itself short of a whole range of fresh produce.

That’s not a situation that’s going to be good for anyone.