Soil Association chiefs have warned that EU regulations are compromising quality as a row broke out over new guidelines on leeks.

From March 1 – ironically St David's Day – the Welsh national emblem will be divided into two classes according to its size.

EU regulations state that leeks must have the white/greenish white part at least one third of their total length or half of the sheathed part, with size determined by their diameter at the longitudinal axis above the swelling of the neck.

The minimum diameter is 8mm for early leeks and 10mm for other product.

But a spokeswoman for the Soil Association said: 'A quality, good-tasting piece of vegetable can come in all shapes and sizes and have blemishes which don't affect its eating quality.

'The public should be looking out for taste and quality and not be swayed by seeing rows and rows of leeks that all look the same.' Shadow Welsh secretary Nigel Evans said: 'The final insult is that this is on St David's Day, if it was on April 1, I could have understood it.' l

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