No, not really. However a Liberal MEP has noted one of the EU’s sillier expenditure of money. They claim that studies prove that prunes do not have a laxative effect. He has challenged them to a prune eating contest to see what the truth is :-). I have no idea, as I do not really like prunes and I do not have any problems in that area, but I think we should be told!
It is a good job our 50 million pounds a day contribution to the EU coffers is not wasted! I wonder what other competitions we could envisage?
Boadicea's Chariot 
“as I do not really like prunes ” – have you tried them soaked in brandy and served with a really good vanilla ice cream? YUM. Not too many though as in my experience those studies are wrong.
We use them with apples to stuff ducks – when we cook them, that is. The Danish word os ‘sveske’ which is uncomfortably close to ‘svensker’ (meaning a near neighbour).
Mix 1/2 a pint of Guiness with 1/2 a pint of prune juice. Serve chilled.
Liquid Pickfords… it’ll shift anything! 🙂
(For the benefit of our colonial chums and other non UK residents, Pickfords is a very famous removals company.)
I think I would just prefer the ice cream, followed by a brandy 🙂
Ferret – Even taking into account that you once took the Queen’s shilling, what, in the name of all that’s Holy, possessed you or any of your muckers to try 1/2 a pint of Guiness with 1/2 a pint of prune juice, chilled or otherwise? I suppose it’s one of those drinks you drink late at night when you’re lonely and think the bottom has dropped out of your world. And then three hours later………. 🙂
OZ
A Flatulence Fragrance Schedule would be money just as sillily (no such word, why not :?:) spent. If these halfwits are testing the laxative effect of fruits why not the aromas as well.
Starting with cabbage, boiled eggs… well you get the idea!
The study would of course be called the European Union Flatulence Fragrance Schedule or…
The EU FFS 😳
And all the while the Euro sinks into oblivion.