EU rules rotten to the core, says MEP

EU rules rotten to the core

EU rules affecting apples are just as barmy as earlier nonsense about bent bananas and curved cucumbers, said MEP Paul Nuttall today.

His comments follow complaints by English apple growers that Brussels bureaucrats are stopping them from telling consumers about the health benefits of the fruit.

They cannot make health claims that have not been vetted by the European Food Safety Authority but the cost of scientific research necessary for the vetting process is prohibitive.

"Everyone knows the old adage 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' and just weeks ago independent research backed this up," said Mr Nuttall, UKIP deputy leader.

"This Oxford University research shows they are just as beneficial for cardiovascular health as statins and may help other ailments. Encouraging people to eat apples would not only help their health but cut NHS bills and greatly assist the English apple industry.

"It is only good old fashioned common sense to eat local food and in the right season but the EU, as ever, is hell-bent in creating unnecessary hurdles.

"Food safety is, of course, vital but stopping producers from promoting apples as being good for your health is ridiculous. It is the EU bureaucracy that is rotten to the core."