article_snippet: European Union member states have blocked plans to ban so-called
article_snippet: Change in direction: EU member states have done a U-turn on plans to ban so-called
article_snippet: The European Commission had promised to axe the controversial fees by the end of 2015.
article_snippet: However, EU member states voted against that plan,so EU member states will now remain in place until at least 2018, and could stay far into the future.
article_snippet: The move has sparked outrage amongst Brussels.
article_snippet: EU member states should hang EU member states heads in shame’.
highlights_snippet: European Union ministers had promised to axe  fees by the end of 2015 .
  
highlights_snippet: The U-turn has sparked outrage with those backing ban in Brussels .
  