Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether British retailers are required to cover in plastic wrapping cucumbers sold to consumers; and if so, whether that requirement derives from (1) UK law, (2) EU law, (3) a non-legally binding commitment between the Government and retailers, or (4) some other source.

There is no specific requirement to wrap cucumbers in cling film or other wrapping, but food businesses are required to provide food that is both safe and fit to eat. Food businesses do cover cucumbers to improve the shelf life of these products and reduce food waste, as the environmental impact of wasting food is far greater than the packaging containing it.

We have had no discussions with retailers regarding the packaging of cucumbers over the last five years and have no plans to review the practice.

We do not collect data on specific packaging lines and formats and are not aware of any equivalent data relating to cucumber packaging from other Member States.