The European Union is considering a change to the rules regulating the size and shape of produce available on European shelves.

Changes to the current rules could see fruit and vegetables such as 'bendy' cucumbers made available for use in salads or for cooking purposes, whereas under current guidelines they would be disposed of.

A simplifying of regulations regarding shape and size has been backed by a number of EU countries, including the UK, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, although over half of the EU-27 have reacted negatively to the proposals.

Leading producer countries such as France, Italy, Spain and Greece have said they will oppose any changes to current legislation, although their combined voting weight would not be sufficient to block the decision.

EU agriculture commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel said that ending the strict range of marketing standards made sense in the current economical and environmental climate. 'In this era of high prices and growing demand, it makes no sense to throw them away or destroy them,' she said in a statement.

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