Britain declares victory in EU tampon tax battle

LONDON – Tampons are the latest battleground in Britain's difficult relationship with the European Union.

The British government has declared victory in its bid to remove an EU-imposed sales tax on women's sanitary products. Campaigners argue that tampons are an essential item and should be tax-exempt.

Treasury chief George Osborne says EU leaders have agreed to let Britain cut the tax rate to zero, boasting: "We've achieved what no British government has even tried to achieve."

EU opponents say the tax is a prime example of Brussels meddling.

Vote Leave spokesman Robert Oxley said Friday that the bloc had only conceded because Britain will vote in June on its EU membership. He said: "Do we need to have a referendum every time we need to change a tax rate?"