PROPOSED ABOLITION OF BREAD WEIGHTS

Motion Text

That this House expresses concern that the European Commission is seeking to abolish standard size British bread loaves; notes that EU Nominal Quantities Directive COD (2004) 0248 would scrap rules on the weight of pre-packed goods, including wrapped bread, which will end loaf sizes in the UK that have existed since the thirteenth century; further notes that the European Parliament has sought to amend the proposals several times but whilst the Commission accepts the need for a range of weights for other staple diet products, including butter, milk and sugar, it persists in rejecting the amendment in relation to bread; is disappointed that the Department of Trade and Industry has so far failed to support the European Parliament as it seeks a further amendment to protect British bread; believes that the abolition of rules on the size and weight of pre-packaged goods will remove a valuable protection to shoppers, especially those on low incomes, as there is no prescriptive price guide on bread; and calls on the Government to support the Federation of Bakers, UK consumer groups and the European Parliament by seeking an exemption for bread under this Directive.