An investigation by Canada’s national broadcaster has found that a major Quebec producer has been diluting its maple syrup with cane sugar and selling the fraudulent product to grocery chains.
OK, well, adultereated products are hardly new, But:
The industry is worth nearly C$1bn annually and the immense value of the market has lured criminal elements to Quebec’s global strategic reserve of syrup.
In 2011, thieves slowly siphoned off maple syrup worth nearly C$18m from the stockpile, a heist that led to 40 arrests and jail sentences for five men.
The “strategic reserve” is actually the amount that is kept off the market in order to keep prices high.
So we have that well known phenomenon, people being people. Prices are deliberately kept high and therefore there is adulteration to bring prices down. Which, you know, increases the amount that must be spent upon keeping prices high…..
What’s the trees’ cut in all of this ?
‘There is trouble in the forest
‘And the creatures all have fled
‘As the maples scream, “Oppression!”
‘And the oaks just shake their heads.’
Rush – The Trees
In 2011, thieves slowly siphoned off maple syrup worth nearly C$18m from the stockpile, a heist that led to 40 arrests and jail sentences for five men.
Sounds like something Wile E Coyote would do…
“Quebec’s global strategic reserve of syrup.”
That has got to be the funniest thing I’ve read all day.
Is it still April 1st in Canada?
And where’s the UK’s strategic reserve of tripe?
Ely?
I regret I have but one Like to give this comment!
“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” — Mark Twain
This issue is at the core of US fascism. In Wickard v. Filburn, the Supremes authorized the US government to interfere in US commerce. Birth of the regulatory state in the Land of the Free.
I’m building a strategic reserve of Marmite in case it gets adulterated by the new owners.
Our large strategic reserve of rum (because we don’t drink rum but do receive gifts of rum) is now earmarked for sterilising water if the Iran War/Weird Ed should eventually lead to a buggering-up of our water supply. Needs pumping water does, and that needs electricity.