The impact had spread and was inflicting estimated losses of 200 million euros a week, according to the Spanish fruit and vegetable producer-exporter federation, FEPEX.

Asked which countries had stopped buying Spanish produce, FEPEX president Jorge Brotons told a news conference: “Almost all Europe. There is a domino effect on all vegetables and fruits. A psychosis has been created.”

German authorities said they detected the potentially dangerous bacteria on organic cucumbers imported from two producers in southern Spain’s Andalucia region.

“Orders are plunging daily,” Brotons said.

“It is as if an order had gone out across Europe not to buy Spanish produce,” he added. “Every week

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The UK is home to more than 220,000 property millionaires, according to research published today by Zoopla.co.uk.

The home buying information website’s Property Rich List 2011 showed that although the number of people living in houses worth £1 million or more had fallen slightly since last year, Britain has nearly 6,000 streets where the average price of a home is £1 million or more.

London topped the poll of “million pound streets” by a considerable margin with 2,290 of the 5,922 listed. Guildford, a popular commuter town, was some way behind in second place with 89, while footballers’ paradise Cobham came in third with 78. Both Guildford and Cobham are in Surrey.

The country’s most expensive properties were shown to be in Kensington, where the average house now costs some £1,737,862. A property i

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The Financial Planning Association (FPA) has called on the Federal Government to create a “level playing field” for commissions paid on insurance sold through superannuation.

FPA CEO Mark Rantall is questioning why different rules would apply to the treatment of commissions paid by life and general insurance companies.

This anomaly in the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms was pointed out to Treasury by insuranceNEWS.com.au several weeks ago, and officials have since confirmed there will be a two-tier commission system for insurance sold through superannuation.

“Such awkward policy inconsistencies create a potentially damaging double standard that will ultimately impact the quality and cost of [life] insurance for all Australians,” Mr Rantall said.

“The FPA is disappointed by an emerging uneven playing field created by the FOFA reforms.”

Mr Rantall says the discrepancy would be particularly obvious when a self-managed superannuation fund trustee pays a fee for advice on life insurance and nothing when buying a general insurance product, as that advice would be covered by a commission.

“As the peak professional body representing financial planners in Australia, the FPA supports conflict-free remuneration and promoting new professional standards,” he said.

“However, it is important there is a level playing field for all providers of advice.”

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Cash-strapped consumers and thrifty laundrette proprietors may no longer wish to fork out the £4.48 cost of a packet of Calgon tablets after Which? found no evidence that washing machines live longer with the water-softening agent.

The consumer group simulated three years worth of washing and found that while Calgon did help to prevent the build-up of limescale, there was no evidence that it extended the life of a washing machine in “normal” washing conditions.

Which? said: “Using Calgon in every wash, the average person would spend £295 over the course of six to eight years – the time our expert believes it would take before a normal machine in an area with particularly hard water would require attention as a result of limescale build-up.

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It is easy to look for life insurance quotes online. For people who possess the determination and time in looking for excellent deals, online research tenders both massive deals as well as convenience. Similar to any kind of insurance coverage quotation, it still depends on the shoppers to check out in details the provisions and conditions to end up a pleasing product.

The provider from the insurance is an essential thing you must find before selecting a plan. You need to verify the status from the insurance agency. Ask some inquiries regarding their service proficiency and how speedy they disburse claims. You can chat to somebody that had bought an insurance plan from that company and ask him/her about the reputation of the insurance group.

In reality, you do not wish to do business with an insurance company that gives bad services to their consumers or a company that is incapable to pay your statements.

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