Fun fact Friday: The Polish Potatoes Order 2004 makes it illegal to “import into England, potatoes which he knows to be or has reasonable cause to suspect to be Polish potatoes“. The law was introduced in response to ring rot outbreaks in Poland.
Is it illegal to buy potatoes from Poland?
Only in certain circumstances can you import a potato from Poland. You must first give written notification to an inspector, at least two days prior to the intended date of introduction of the potatoes.
Why are Polish potatoes illegal in the UK?
The law was introduced in response to ring rot outbreaks in Poland. In 2012, the Food and Environment Research Agency reinforced the guideline, by demanding a ring rot test certificate accompany the spuds. This was triggered by a poor crop in the UK leading to importers searching for European replacements.
Are potatoes from Poland?
Although the importance of potato cultivation in Poland has decreased, it is undoubtedly still one of its most important crops. Originating from Peru, the potato reached Europe in the 16th century following the expeditions of Christopher Columbus, but it was not very popular in the beginning.
Why is Poland known for potatoes?
Bringing potatoes to Poland is attributed to King Jan III Sobieski (he is said to have sent a big sack of potatoes to his wife Marysieńka during the Vienna siege), but it was Paweł Wienczarek, a gardener of the Wilanów Palace grounds, who planted the exotic tubers in the gardens of Wilanów.
Is it illegal to shake a doormat after 8pm?
Carrying a plank along a pavement, sliding on ice or snow, firing a cannon within 300 yards of a dwelling, and beating or shaking any carpet or rug in the street (except for a doormat before 8am) are all illegal under the Metropolitan Police Act 1839.
Is it illegal to walk down the road with a plank of wood?
Section 54 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 makes it an offence to carry a plank across the pavement in London.
Is it illegal to walk down the street with a salmon?
4 – It is illegal to handle salmon in suspicious circumstances. We mentioned it earlier. Handling a salmon in suspicious circumstances is actually a new law enshrined in Section 32 of the Salmon Act 1986.
Why is it illegal to hold a salmon?
Handling Salmon in Suspicious Circumstances
Essentially, this is a provision aimed at reducing salmon poaching by making the handling of poached salmon a criminal offence.
Is it illegal to hold a salmon suspiciously in the UK?
It is illegal to hold salmon under ‘suspicious circumstances’ in England and Wales. This law was passed in 1986 as part of the ‘Salmon Act’, which was put in place to stop illegal salmon fishing in the UK.
Who brought the potato to Poland?
Jan III Sobieski
They recall the story of Jan III Sobieski (who brought potatoes to Poland) and explain why the plant got its attention only in 18th century.
Do Polish people eat a lot of potatoes?
Nearly 50 percent Poles have meat for dinner, and 42 percent have potatoes. Only around 2 percent Poles reaches for cereal, less than 4 percent eat fish.
When were potatoes brought to Poland?
The Polish King John III Sobieski is credited with having introduced potatoes – known initially as amerykany (from “America”) – to his countrymen in the mid-1600s, after a visit to Vienna. Thus began a love affair that was to make Poland one of the 20th century’s giants of potato production.
What did Poland eat before potatoes?
The contemporary Polish cuisine replaced groats being the staple in history with potatoes, while game dishes are replaced today with the pork and the farm poultry. Tomatoes won the great popularity also. Also eating easily available meat increased, while eating giblets reduced.
Who brought potatoes to Europe?
Spanish Conquistadors
In 1536, Spanish Conquistadors in Peru discovered the flavors of the potato and transported them to Europe. At first, the vegetable was not widely accepted. Sir Walter Raleigh introduced potatoes to Ireland in 1589, but it took nearly four decades for the potato to spread to the rest of Europe.
How many potatoes are in Poland?
Over 120 varieties of potato are currently grown in Poland, but still, there is little knowledge about the vegetable, even though using the right variety for any given dish will result in a more refined culinary experience.
Is it illegal to eat chocolate on public transport?
6) Sorry ladies, but an obsolete nineteenth-century English law made it illegal for you to eat chocolate on any mode of public transport… 7) Politics bore you to death? Be careful not to die in The Houses of Parliament, that’s still technically illegal.
Why do you shake or beat small mats outside?
If you have smaller rugs, you can take them outside of your house and shake or beat them vigorously to get rid of dirt and grit.
Is ding dong ditching a crime in UK?
Victims of this prank are not likely to call the police, but if they decide to, the prankster can face charges of trespassing and disturbing the peace. In England and Wales, trespassing is a civil matter rather than a criminal one, and the police will not compile a case for a victim.
Is it treason to put a stamp upside down?
It is illegal to place a stamp of the Queen upside down on a letter. No The Treason Felony Act 1848 makes it an offence to do any act with the intention of deposing the monarch, but it seems unlikely that placing a stamp upside down fulfils this criterion. The Act itself certainly does not refer to stamps.
What is the oldest law in England?
The Statute of Marlborough (52 Hen 3) is a set of laws passed by the Parliament of England during the reign of Henry III in 1267. The laws comprised 29 chapters, of which four are still in force. Those four chapters constitute the oldest piece of statute law in the United Kingdom still in force as of 2022.