The world has gone mad!
Oct. 22nd, 2006 02:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
krazykitkatStory via ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
bantha_fodder. Didn't the Federal govenment insist on a Vegemite clause in the FTA???
From here:
THE United States has slapped a ban on Vegemite, outraging Australian expatriates there.
The bizarre crackdown was prompted because Vegemite contains folate, which in the US can be added only to breads and cereals.
Expatriates say that enforcement of the ban has been stepped up recently and is ruining lifelong traditions of having Vegemite on toast for breakfast.
Former Geelong man Daniel Fogarty, who now lives in Calgary, Canada, said he was stunned when searched while crossing the US border recently.
"The border guard asked us if we were carrying any Vegemite," Mr Fogarty said.
"I was flabbergasted." Paul Watkins, who owns a store called About Australia in San Antonio, Texas, said he had been forced to stop importing Vegemite six months ago.
"We have completely stopped bringing it in," he said.
"(US authorities) have made a stance and there is nothing that can be done about it."
Mum just asked whether they can get around the ban by relabelling it as axle grease.
eta: and they only allow folate to be added to breads and cereals? I can understand legislating that it must be added to those foods, but to restrict it to only those foods? How does that make any sense?
bantha_fodder. Didn't the Federal govenment insist on a Vegemite clause in the FTA???From here:
THE United States has slapped a ban on Vegemite, outraging Australian expatriates there.
The bizarre crackdown was prompted because Vegemite contains folate, which in the US can be added only to breads and cereals.
Expatriates say that enforcement of the ban has been stepped up recently and is ruining lifelong traditions of having Vegemite on toast for breakfast.
Former Geelong man Daniel Fogarty, who now lives in Calgary, Canada, said he was stunned when searched while crossing the US border recently.
"The border guard asked us if we were carrying any Vegemite," Mr Fogarty said.
"I was flabbergasted." Paul Watkins, who owns a store called About Australia in San Antonio, Texas, said he had been forced to stop importing Vegemite six months ago.
"We have completely stopped bringing it in," he said.
"(US authorities) have made a stance and there is nothing that can be done about it."
Mum just asked whether they can get around the ban by relabelling it as axle grease.
eta: and they only allow folate to be added to breads and cereals? I can understand legislating that it must be added to those foods, but to restrict it to only those foods? How does that make any sense?
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(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 05:12 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 05:18 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 05:20 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 05:24 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 05:26 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 05:30 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 05:31 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 06:18 am (UTC)The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) have informed all parcel carriers that as from 12th August 2004, they are going to start strictly enforcing the legislation which was put into effect in December 2003. This will impact on all business customers exporting food items to the USA . Parcelforce Worldwide recommends that customers read the briefing fully.
The key change since its introduction is that whilst this legislation no longer applies to private individuals, it remains essential for all business customers; and the FDA are clamping down. Business customers must comply, or face parcels being returned to sender or destroyed.
and
All manufactured food and drink for human or animal consumption posted to the US by business customers, from countries all around the world, will be subject to prior notice being obtained before the item can be accepted for posting. The only exemptions are food made by an individual at home sent as a personal gift to an individual in the USA, and a manufactured item sent by a private individual. Businesses must comply with this legislation.
and from the US Embassy in Spain (http://madrid.usembassy.gov/fas/traveleren.html#3):
How do I send Parcels containing Food Gifts Through International Mail?
If you plan to send a food article by international mail, you must request and receive prior approval from the FDA. The parcel must be accompanied by FDA confirmation. For more information or to submit your request electronically
Among the food articles exempt from prior notice are:
* Homemade goods shipped as gifts
* Food contained in household goods
* Food (as a gift) shipped/mailed from an individual to an individual
I think they realised it was bloody ridiculous and impossible to police individuals.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 06:20 am (UTC)Good to know, thanks!
(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 05:48 am (UTC)That's weird. Stupid rules.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 05:50 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 05:51 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 06:03 am (UTC)Although, that would explain why Australian farmers are always pissed about US Government Protection. Free market, what's that?
(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 05:37 am (UTC)Why is folate only able to be added to bread products?
(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 05:40 am (UTC)Absolutely ridiculous.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 06:49 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 05:47 am (UTC)And like, dude, we're good allies, we're like the good little puppy dog, when the President asks the Prime Minister to do something, Mr Howard says 'yes sir, straight away sir'.
So, you know, you'd think considering all that, they would bloody well take our exports, vegemite, Steve Irwin and all.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 05:49 am (UTC)I hope a reporter picks it up and demands answers from the Federal government ;) Maybe get a Labor MP to ask in question time...
(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 06:00 am (UTC)I think our honour has been besmirched. (is that a word?) Maybe Mr Brown can look into it, Labor tends to be expert at doing nothing these days.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 06:24 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 06:35 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 06:36 am (UTC)I need a Who icon, methinks.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 06:40 am (UTC)With the Tim Tams - I had 12 packets + the Tim Tam Balls in my suitcase last December and they let me through at customs (actually the customs guy chuckled when he saw them all in my suitcase) :) And I've sent them regularly since then to US without a problem so far *touches wood*
(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 06:53 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 06:56 am (UTC)In all seriousness, the restriction to cereal and bread is just one more way the US government props up the wheat and grain industry. You can't get enough folic acid from regular foods (at least, not the way most Americans eat), so supplements are needed. By allowing only bread and cereal to be fortified, the US grain industry can say that their products are An Important Source of Vital Folic Acid. And if you've ever had to take vitamin B in pill form, you know why most people would prefer to eat some bread or have a bowl of Wheaties instead.
There are some market controls I like (like, say, banning child labor), but this is just one more example of where a more free market makes more sense.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 07:03 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 07:08 am (UTC)I mean, these are the same type of people who'll force a mother to taste her breastmilk before taking it on a plane, but will somehow still let knives and other dangerous objects get through.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 07:38 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-22 07:44 am (UTC)