FOLLOWING the ban on certain models of high-power vacuum cleaners, vehicle-style exhaust tests for petrol-driven lawnmowers and other ‘non-road mobile machinery’ are believed to be on the Brussels agenda and have been branded as ‘nonsense’ by UKIP Deputy Leader and Euro-MP Paul Nuttall.

Garden machinery, along with similarly-powered chainsaws, are among equipment being lined up by the European Commission for tough emissions tests to tackle global warming.

UKIP deputy leader Mr Nuttall said: “This is another round of nonsense emanating from the European Union.”

“These Eurocrats are fanatics. They are so blind to their own failings that they do not even realise the contempt which their hyperactivity breeds in the voting public.

“Targeting petrol-driven lawnmowers is just another example of them mowing down common sense. It is likely to have unintended consequences such as some manufacturers abandoning the EU for more profitable markets and product owners being unable to get replacement parts.”

Not surprisingly, the Daily Mail also picked up the proposal.