New EU environmental laws described by South East MEP Nirj Deva as “ridiculous” that could ban fake snow and silly string have been drawn up by the European Commission.

The laws, which ban novelty aerosols because they contain fluorinated gasses (HFCs) and will be discussed in the European Parliament in the New Year, could end years of Christmas fun. The only alternatives are propane gasses which would in effect turn aerosols in flame-throwers.

Robert Goodwill MEP, Conservative Environment Spokesman in the European Parliament, said:

"The European Commission is the modern day Christmas scrooge. If these new laws go through, there will be no white Christmases in European homes for the foreseeable future.

Once again the Commission has brought forward proposals without giving sufficient thought to their impact. They must go back to the drawing board with this one"

Commenting on the proposals, Nirj Deva said:

“The European Commission, not for the first time, has shown itself to be a factory for drawing up rather ridiculous legislation but has now also proved itself to be utterly humourless and devoid of good will.

“I wish all my constituents a very Happy Christmas!”