Sad Haggis Update

Tuesday, 26th January 2010

I should have known that the news was too good to be, you know, true. Turns out that all the excitement about the Unted States dropping its disgraceful ban on the importation of proper haggis is somewhat premature. A spokeswoman from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service emails to "clarify" the matter:

Recently, several news articles have incorrectly stated that the U.S. will be relaxing or lifting its ban on Scottish haggis At this time, haggis is still banned in the U.S. The APHIS rule covers all ruminant imports, which includes haggis. It is currently being reviewed to incorporate the current risk and latest science related to these regulations. There is no specific time frame for the completion of this review. Please check back with APHIS periodically for updates.

This is sad news indeed and not the sort of change anyone can believe in. I encourage US readers to petition their Congresspersons to have this injustice ended and let Americans enjoy the full majesty of the Great Chieftain o' the pudden-race. It's also, obviously, tme for Obama to show some damn leadership...

The BBC has more on this here.

Filed under: Americana (478 more articles) , Scotland (499 more articles)

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Taipei Exile

January 27th, 2010 3:42am Report this comment

Come on Mr Massie. As far as national dishes go the countries of the UK have some pretty average fare with haggis being right at the bottom of the pile.

Craig Strachan

January 27th, 2010 5:35am Report this comment

The best policy on haggis is "don't ask, don't tell."

Don't ask what's in it.

Beefeater

January 27th, 2010 5:44am Report this comment

Dear Congressperson,

It has been brought to my attention that the Great Chieftain of the Pudding Race is banned from entry into the US.

This is blatant racism. It sends the wrong message to the vast majority of peaceful Puddings who feel slighted that the USA refuses to recognize their Great Chieftain. The Pudding Race is associated with a rich cultural heritage: bagpipes, poetry, hospitality, brave compassion.

I fear that this discrimination against a Pudding leader, will only inflame extremism and jeopardize our international standing, particularly in Scotland - part of the United Kingdom - where the Puddings have been absorbed, without ill-effect, by the native population for generations, though no Pudding would care to be mistaken for a Scotsman (although they have adopted the clan social structure).

This banning betrays our Constitutional strength, which is no less hardy than the Scottish.

Please right this injustice.

Sincerely,
Ruminanteater.

Chris W

January 27th, 2010 11:46am Report this comment

If Haggis became associated with an Islamic tradition, might it be allowed in to the US tomorrow? Just a thought...

MattF

January 27th, 2010 1:28pm Report this comment

But... what would be the purpose of eating haggis, if you're not in Scotland?

terence patrick hewett

January 27th, 2010 4:05pm Report this comment

The USA hasn't forgotten or forgiven Scotland for releasing al-Meghrani.

Kittler

January 27th, 2010 5:08pm Report this comment

This is a serious business. What about counter sanctions? Any suggestions?

Craig Strachan, that reminds me why butchers never eat sausages, they won't eat other peoples because they don't know what's in them and won't eat their own because they do.

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