Those of us who claim affiliation to a Scottish clan may be tucking into a steaming plate of black, rich haggis this evening and raising a dram to the memory of the Immortal Bard, Rabbie Burns, whose birthday we celebrate today.
Though the traditional Burns Night’s Suppers will be held right across the world where the Scots influence is strong, it may not be the case in America where our national dish has been banned for the last twenty years or so following the US Department of Agriculture’s ban on food stuffs containing sheep lungs. Since then, our American cousins have partaken of modified haggis which conforms to US FDA regulations.
Last year, Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary, invited a delegation of officials from the States to sample the authentic flavours of the real stuff and he has done again this year.
It is not yet known if Mr Lochhead has been successful in overturning the ban this year but, surely, his persistence will ultimately pay off?
If so, then Americans can tuck into one of my favourite foods, raise a glass and cry out, ‘Scots Wha Hae!’ like the rest of us!
.
Though the traditional Burns Night’s Suppers will be held right across the world where the Scots influence is strong, it may not be the case in America where our national dish has been banned for the last twenty years or so following the US Department of Agriculture’s ban on food stuffs containing sheep lungs. Since then, our American cousins have partaken of modified haggis which conforms to US FDA regulations.
Last year, Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary, invited a delegation of officials from the States to sample the authentic flavours of the real stuff and he has done again this year.
It is not yet known if Mr Lochhead has been successful in overturning the ban this year but, surely, his persistence will ultimately pay off?
If so, then Americans can tuck into one of my favourite foods, raise a glass and cry out, ‘Scots Wha Hae!’ like the rest of us!
.
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