http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/03/changes-for-import-of-jamon-iberico-ham/ Luxist Comments for Changes For Import of Jamon Iberico Ham http://www.luxist.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.luxist.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/03/changes-for-import-of-jamon-iberico-ham/http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/03/changes-for-import-of-jamon-iberico-ham/
But now, there's a whole network of laws, regulatory bodies (both governmental and private), trademarks and such specifically designed to make sure that traditional techniques are used in food items like this. It's not just Spanish hams, either. Pretty much every cheese with a name in France or England has to comply with exacting specifications. Vintage port has to be accepted by a non-governmental committee. And that's just a few. The TRIPS agreements require that many of these laws are valid pretty much everywhere -- even the U.S. -- which is why you don't see American wines calling themselves "Bordeaux" anymore.

So cut of the hoof and gimme my ham, dammit! ]]>Apr 3rd 2009 5:20PMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/04/03/changes-for-import-of-jamon-iberico-ham/http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/03/changes-for-import-of-jamon-iberico-ham/
So we looked around for something that we could say violated some health code or other, so that we could have something to bring to the bargaining table -- for an exchange of hostages, so to speak. And this is it.

Of course, it's not like importation of this highly specialized niche market product is going to compensate for the loss to beef exporters. It's probably one of several dozen retaliations (but they can't be retaliations, because it's illegal to retaliate) and this is the one we've heard about. Now, though, the Spanish will raise a stink because it's an attack on traditional Spanish producers, and who are they going to come after next? Serrano? Manchego? Sherry? So the Spanish raise a stink to the EU negotiators, and there's more pressure to reach a compromise.

Broadly, here's what I think will happen. It's a new administration in the U.S., and one which actually seems to care about food safety. The U.S. negotiators will point to budget items (if there are any) allowing the hiring of new inspectors, or setting new guidelines, or something. The beef industry will raise a brief to-do. Then we'll see the hams being allowed to be sold with hooves again. Two years --- maybe three.

Or not. It probably doesn't make a whit of difference in the taste -- it's not like a pasteruized cheese requirement, which affects taste dramatically -- so by the time all the trade stuff gets settled, everyone will have realized that it's still the same old ham, and they won't really care whether or not it's got the hoof. ]]>Apr 3rd 2009 5:29PMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/04/03/changes-for-import-of-jamon-iberico-ham/http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/03/changes-for-import-of-jamon-iberico-ham/Apr 6th 2009 4:20PM