A NORTHWEST Euro MP has accused the EU of plumbing new depths after experts spent almost three years working out how much water should be used to flush toilets and urinals.
His blast came as a working group published its findings into setting criteria for an “Ecolabel” for lavatories.
The 60-page technical report has been drawn-up by consultants for the Commission's environment directorate with the aim of making flushing more environmentally friendly.
But Paul Nuttall, UKIP deputy leader, has expressed astonishment at the : "It is particularly ridiculous considering Commission President President José Manuel Barroso recently said the EU executive should be 'big on big things and smaller on smaller things'.
"The world is in a financially parlous state and thanks to nonsense EU carbon targets, energy bills are forcing families into fuel poverty.
“And yet money is being thrown away on efforts to deliver an Ecolabel for toilets and urinals.”
He continued: "We used to laugh at their stupid ideas such as discriminating against curvy cucumbers, but it really isn't funny that they continue to come up with hare-brained schemes.
"It's costing every household in Britain about £6,000 a year for our membership of the EU and what do we get in return?
“More and more rules and regulations tying the hands of businesses resulting in higher costs for consumers.”
A spokesman for Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik is quoted online as saying: “The primary aim of establishing criteria for toilets is to increase water efficiency during operation.”
He added that Ecolabels are voluntary and requested by businesses.
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What is an "Ecolabel"?
The EU Ecolabel is part of the European Commission’s action plan for "Sustainable Consumption and Production and Sustainable Industrial Policy" adopted in July 2008.
The Ecolabel is a voluntary scheme set up to encourage manufacturers to produce goods and services that are environmentally friendly.
The Ecolabel flower logo lets consumers and organisations recognise the best environmentally performing products
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