Brexit has had a seismic impact on international politics, with several of the Leave campaigners being accused of xenophobia and closed-mindedness. 

Is Brexit justified due to the complicated EU regulations that UK has to handle? 

Here’s a roundup of the most intriguing (and funny) EU rules which are imposed on the UK, which probably drove the country to vote ‘Leave.’

Bananas can’t be too bendy: No, we aren’t kidding. It seems like the EU like to have firm, inflexible bananas in thr fruit market, because in 1995, the EU issued specific guidelines for growing bananas and cucumbers. If they’re too bendy? They’re rejected. Fortunately, that legislation was repealed in 2008, but it’s been around long enough to be startling!

Don’t call a swede a turnip: The EU probably threw a popular vegetable into an identity crisis, as it was declared that turnips should be called swedes, unless they’re inside a Cornish Pasty, when they can freely be called as ‘turnips.’ Looks like someone who was writing this law had a soft spot for Cornish Pasties!

Diabetics should be banned from driving: While this is not actually being enforced strictly at the moment, it does really exist as regulation. Luckily, the former PM David Cameron laughed the idea off. Or else, we’d have a huge dip in middle-aged drivers, just because their pancreas doesn’t regulate their body sugar levels too well.

No eggs by the dozen: While this is still in draft, in 2010 the EU suggested that food items should not be priced by the number of items- such as six oranges or a dozen eggs, but instead should be priced and sold by their weight.

Don’t eat your pet horse: It’s sad that the EU had to remind us of this – but it’s quite inhuman to slaughter and eat your own pet horse! Eating horse meat otherwise is permitted by the EU.




Children below eight can’t blow up balloons: According to EU law, children below the age of eight years should not blow up latex balloons without adult supervision. However, the EU was quick to reiterate that was not a ban, but only a safety suggestion.

According to sources, following such complex EU red tape costs the UK £33.3 billion each year. That is quite a whopping amount.

What people say:

People have mixed reactions to the claims that ridiculous EU regulations pushed UK to leave the Union. Here’s a snippet from Twitter:

 

In either case, these rules are a good laugh! Right from bendy bananas to blowing balloons, the EU seems to have an opinion on everything.

Image credit: Mike Mozart/flickr