Tim Worstall

Bendy Bananas

Thanks to Umbongo for this link in the comments yesterday.

You know that people like me go on about bendy bananas and EU regulations all the time and we’re then derided for making stuff up.

Well, here’s the regulation in full.

Yes, it really is illegal to sell bananas of excessive curvature. The penalty upon conviction in this free and pleasant land is up to 6 months in jail and or a 5,000 pounds fine.

An entirely necessary and important use of the criminal justice system, I’m sure you will agree. Makes me proud to be British.

In

8 responses

  1. dearieme Avatar
    dearieme

    Isn’t the EU also why you chaps in Continental Portugal can consume bananas from Madeira, annd we can’t?
    Tim adds: Azores. No reason why you can’t have them except….those countries with colonial possessions (UK included) wanted special access for those colonies to hte traditional markets.

    Reply
  2. Not Saussure Avatar
    Not Saussure

    And do you say there was no similar national regulation before 1995 defining what shippers could and couldn’t sell sight unseen to wholesalers as bananas of ‘Class I’, ‘Class II’ and so on, or that we previously had our own British regulations on bendy bananas which these replaced?
    I don’t know which is the case, which is why I’m asking.
    Tim adds: Previously such classifications were done by hte industry bodies and did not have the force of law. I’ve no problem with classifications, I do have a problem with them being the law.
    The law used to say in the UK, ‘of merchantable quality’ and ‘ fit for purpose’.

    Reply
  3. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    And are you going to apologise for saying that bananas had to be “straight”?
    Tim adds: I would never be so heterosexist. Or fruitarian or whatever. Herbarian with bananas actually.

    Reply
  4. Elaib Avatar
    Elaib

    Timmy lock yourself in a cupboard and repeat after me, “Fit for THE purpose. Fit for THE purpose”. Just because John Reid is illiterate doesn’t mean you have to be too.

    Reply
  5. xityunslicker Avatar
    xityunslicker

    The regulation holds for for other veggies to; overly bent cucumbers for a start!

    Reply
  6. Between the Hammer and the Anvil Avatar
    Between the Hammer and the Anvil

    Why I Like The European Union

    I’ve already explained why I like the Euro, and now I’ve been given the perfect opportunity to wax lyrical upon my love for the European Union…

    Reply
  7. Flying Rodent Avatar
    Flying Rodent

    Wow, the EU bent over and bitchslapped.
    Or not, as the case may be.
    If anyone can point me to the EU regulation banning barmaids from showing too much cleavage…
    Tim adds: As in the comment at your place. It was under exposure to sunshine while working and referred to Bavarian birds in the beer gardens.

    Reply
  8. Flying Rodent Avatar
    Flying Rodent

    Now come on Tim, we both know that’s not true.
    I think this would be a good time for you to come clean, given that you’re now lending your backing up to fictions dreamt up by The Sun.
    No offence, but I would’ve thought that was a bit beneath you.
    Tim adds: What’s not true? That there were regulations proposed that would limit exposure to sunshine while at work? And that they were drafted so that barmaids would have to cover up?

    Reply

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