Britain declares victory in EU tampon tax battle

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?"