An attempted revolt against new laws on the sale of misshapen produce in the EU has failed, with a ban on such products averted.

A group of Spanish MEPs had tried to reinstate the EU ban on the sale of “wonky”fruit and veg in favour of "uniform standardisation parameters".

But the plan was defeated in the European Parliament, amid arguments that it would increase food wastage.

Until the ban was lifted in July last year, EU rules dictated the shape and size of 36 varieties of produce, snubbing imperfect produce.

Some Spanish Euro-MPs tried to bring the ban back by tabling a motion to that effect this week, but it was defeated on Thursday, reports the BBC.

Liberal Democrat MEP George Lyon said: "The shape of a fruit is irrelevant to its taste and nutrition.

"Eccentric laws about bendy bananas and curvy cucumbers lead to food wastage and exasperation with the EU."

Lyons said it would be wrong to backtrack and let laws be reinstated “through the back door”.

Scottish National Party Euro-MP Alyn Smith said the issue “should never have come back to life after the [European] Commission removed the restrictions last year and I sincerely hope we won't see another resurrection any time soon".

Despite the ruling, and the new standards for 26 products, 10 of the main produce lines remain under the ban in the form of apples, citrus fruit, kiwifruit, lettuces, peaches and nectarines, pears, strawberries, sweet peppers, table grapes and tomatoes, although these products can be exempted if they are sold with a label clearly distinguishing them from 'Extra', 'Class I' and 'Class II' fruit.

Earlier this month, Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) chief executive Nigel Jenney told freshinfo: “The UK fresh produce industry has taken the advantage of a more flexible approach, to the benefit of consumers, especially during these frugal times. Other member states should perhaps seek to follow the good example set by the UK government in its practical interpretation of the EU Marketing Standards.

“Thanks to strenuous lobbying by the FPC, the Rural Payments Agency Inspectorate ensured that it cut out the red tape and saved the fresh produce industry significant time and admin costs, estimated at £250,000 every year. For once, the UK has not been gold-plating legislation; without this we would have been in the same boat as other EU member states, which are now seeking to turn around the legislation.”

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