Having read Allen Dick's diary entry for the 10/05/2003 - my mind instantly returned to several
meetings that were held in Paris, France several years ago.

The occasions being recalled were meetings that were being held in many places by associations
discussing the details of the proposed changes to the European "Honey" Directive and Codex a.

There were great differences in opinion on several points - one being how far honey could be
filtered by conditioners/packers, whilst still being capable of showing that adulteration had not
taken place.
Realizing that limiting filtration of honey does not by itself protect  against adulteration - it
does enhance the ability to indicate geographical origin of source material.
Also honey that has not undergone ultra filtration will indicate bodies such as yeast cells in
quantities that point to previous quality and condition.

Many European producer countries argued strongly for limited filter size - below which table honey
should not be subjected.
In opposition were packers and conditioners mainly from honey importing countries.

I remember stating that if it (enhanced ultra filtration) was allowed to go through, then the door
will have been opened for new adulteration technologies to be developed!

When it came to shove, the response in London was basically as follows:
If Ultra Filtration (and other demands) are not allowed, then the packers/ conditioners would veto
the proposals for the new Codex a.
This was an excellent position to be in, since it was recognized that the previous set of
regulations were far worse overall than the new proposals.

Ultra filtration amongst other "difficult to swallow" articles were allowed in a manner that would
not serve the producers of honey in Codex a.

Go read Allen's diary entry concerning "Ultra filtration and Chinese honey" for yourselves - and ask
"How will this affect me?"

Regards
Peter

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