Wednesday
Robert Man from the European Commission speaking on this morning's Farming Today:
There is a case for allowing supermarkets to sell mis-shapen fruit and veg, provided it has a label such as "suitable for cooking" on it.
He was talking about proposals for simplifying EU produce classification regulations.
In the interests of the poor chap keeping his job, I feel I should emphasise it was a very relaxed, friendly interview, and that this latitudinarian idea was clearly being examined hypothetically as a way of reducing waste, and no impression was given that it formed part of current Commission plans. Nor did Mr Man imply that the 'simplification' proposals are completely settled. The Commission proposes, but member states dispose; and Mr Man was careful to point out that not all member states are yet convinced by the bold libertarianism inherent in simplification.
So for the moment you should be reassured that the full EC Marketing standards continue to apply to: Apples, Apricots, Avocados, Cherries, Grapes, Kiwifruit, Lemons, Mandarins (and similar hybrids), Melons, Oranges, Peaches and Nectarines, Pears, Plums, Strawberries, Water Melons, Artichokes, Asparagus, Beans (other than shelling beans), Brussels sprouts [of course!], Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Celery, Courgettes, Cultivated mushrooms, Garlic, Leeks, Onions, Peas, Spinach, Salads, Aubergines, Chicory, Cucumber, Lettuce endives and batavia, Sweet peppers, Tomatoes, Hazelnuts in shell, Walnuts in shell, Flowering bulbs, corms and tubers, Cut flowers and foliage.
Though I know us Samizdatatistas are apt to be rude about regulators, I think it is important to recognise the merits of these noble public servants occasionally. Younger and foreign readers will not appreciate how much suffering the EC Marketing standards have saved. British television viewers no longer face peak-time magazine shows featuring vegetables with an amusing resemblance to genitalia.
British television viewers no longer face peak-time magazine shows featuring vegetables with an amusing resemblance to genitalia.
Although that remains a problem for the people of Ankh-Morpork, as this document(Link) demonstrates.
One hopes they implement, at least, a Sto Plains Union which can deal with the matter.
Although, whether Lord Vetinari would be willing to hand authority to Mr Slant, as president of the SPU Commission, is a matter for discussion.
Well, I suppose that would be dealt with in the treaty of Sto Lat.
Posted by countingcats at June 11, 2008 07:43 AM
1. Rearrange the tax structure as a single graduated income tax.
2. Go to a 3 day work week such that the 2 days wages normally paid to the government to create gratuitous nanny state jobs is now kept by the worker in the form of free time. The monetary standard of living will be only slightly effected due to the huge reduction in taxation from the sliding scale income tax. The lifestyle standard of living will be greatly increased by the reduction in obnoxious nanny state interference.
3. Problem with vegitable regulations solved.
Q.E.D.
Posted by K at June 11, 2008 08:06 AM
All the vegetables that I buy in my local greengrocer in northern Portugal are misshapen and non-standard. Why isn't the EU stepping in to do something? The tomatoes taste delicious but they're far from perfect in shape and colour.
Posted by MarkS at June 11, 2008 10:46 AM
Maybe the EC have genitalia with an amusing resemblance to vegetables?
They certainly have cabbages for heads.
Posted by Nick M at June 11, 2008 11:03 AM
I wondered what these marketing standards might actually look like, so went a-searching.
I found stuff like this:
It should also be specified that cherry tomatoes (including(3) cocktail tomatoes) form a fourth commercial type separate from the three formerly identified (round tomatoes, ribbed tomatoes and oblong tomatoes). The different acceptable forms of commercial presentation specific to tomatoes should as well be detailed. Furthermore, the evolution of the market in fresh tomatoes depends on the organoleptic quality of this product(3) which, particularly at the retailing stage, may vary widely. The trade should therefore be allowed to indicate on the packaging minimum or maximum values for essential maturity criteria to allow consumers freedom of choice in purchasing fruit of the organoleptic quality they require.
People spend their careers writing this stuff. What a waste of human life.
Incidentally, the language is very much about what is allowed, rather than what is prohibited.
Posted by Rob Fisher at June 11, 2008 01:34 PM
the language is very much about what is allowed, rather than what is prohibited.
Yes?
It is easer to specify what is allowed, and prohibit all else. than to specify that which is prohibited, and allow all else.
Less thought has to go into it, for greater effect.
Posted by countingcats at June 11, 2008 01:41 PM
CC: exactly. And I'm sure previous discussion here has touched on this being the difference between English common law and, say, the European approach to law. The language used in this document reminded me of that.
Posted by Rob Fisher at June 11, 2008 01:49 PM
I think it is important to recognise the merits of these noble public servants occasionally
You mean when they have been pan fried and served with asparagus and hollandaise sauce?
Posted by chris strange at June 11, 2008 10:29 PM
