Spanish attempts to have the EU ‘wonky veg’ rules repealed have failed.

Last year the EC removed its ban on selling misshapen fruit and veg in a move seen as a victory in the war against food waste.

Spanish MEPs argued the ban should be reinstated to protect sales of higher specification produce – but their proposals were yesterday shot down at a vote in the European Parliament.

“It took us some time to get rid of the previous regulations and we certainly don’t want to reintroduce them again,” said an EC spokesman.

“This issue is not for the EC to regulate on, it’s for the trade to decide.”

Lib Dem Scottish MEP George Lyon welcomed the decision, saying: “It is up to consumers, not bureaucrats in Brussels, to make decisions on what we can and cannot buy.”

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