Minister tells journalist to get a life over crisp ban row

Minister dismisses crisp ban question

Environment secretary Dame Angela Eagle told Times Radio host Stig Abell to get a life when asked about smoky bacon crisps potentially being banned under EU food laws.

“I think you should get a life.”

The crisp flavour and EU rules

A report claimed smoky bacon crisps could fall foul of planned EU laws prohibiting meaty terms to describe vegetarian food. Abell compared the row to Brexit claims about bendy bananas.

Eagle frames it as trade opportunity

Dame Angela said the focus should be on enabling farmers and food producers to export to Europe without post-Brexit costs and friction, not on crisp flavours.

“This is actually about ensuring that we can do business with our closest neighbours.”

Three deals expected at EU summit

Negotiations continue ahead of the EU summit on twenty November where three deals are expected to be discussed: food and drinks, emissions trading, and youth mobility.

Potential economic benefit estimated

A Sanitary and Phytosanitary trade deal could remove Brexit red tape around food and drink. The government estimates a deal could add up to five point one billion pounds a year to the economy.

UK may need to adopt EU standards

In return for lifting regulations for exporters, the UK could be expected to commit to observing and adapting to existing EU regulations on plant, animal and food trade standards.