[extropy-chat] Re: POL(L): The Constitution of Europe

[scerir]

From: "Dirk Bruere"

> That of a superstate that dictates every
> facet of citizens lives, down to
> school timetables, from Brussels?

In this case it would be a nanostate, like
the present. See below .... and you will
realize why our economy runs slow.
s.

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2561/1999
of 3 December 1999
laying down the marketing standard for peas

[loooong snip]

ANNEX

STANDARD FOR PEAS
I. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE
This standard applies to shelling peas of varieties (cultivars) grown from
Pisum sativum L. and peas intended for consumption in the pods or snow peas
(mangetout peas) from Pisum sativum L. var. macrocarpon and sugar snap peas
from Pisum sativum L. var. saccharatum to be supplied fresh to the consumer,
peas for industrial processing being excluded.
II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY
The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements for peas
after preparation and packaging.
A. Minimum requirements
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the
tolerances allowed,
(i) the pods must be:
- intact
- sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it
unfit for consumption is excluded
- clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter (including parts of
the flowers)
- free from hard filaments or films in mange-tout peas
- practically free from pests
- practically free from damage caused by pests
- free of abnormal external moisture
- free of any foreign smell and/or taste.
(ii) the peas must be:
- fresh
- sound, i.e., free of damage caused by pests or diseases
- normally developed.
The development and condition of peas must be such as to enable them:
- to withstand transport and handling, and
- to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
B. Classification
Peas are classified in two classes defined below:
(i) Class I
Peas in this class must be of good quality.
The pods must be:
- characteristic of the variety in shape, size and colouring
- with peduncles attached
- free from damage by hail
- fresh and turgid
- without damage caused by heating.
For mange-tout peas the pods may have:
- very slight skin defects, injuries and bruises
- very slight defects of shape
- very slight defects of colouring.
For shelling peas:
the pods must be
- well filled, containing at least five seeds.
the peas must be:
- well formed
- tender
- succulent and sufficiently firm, i.e., when squeezed between two fingers
they should become flat without disintegrating
- at least half the full-grown size but not full grown
- of the colour typical of the variety
- non-farinaceous
- undamaged.
For mange-tout peas, the peas if present must be small and underdeveloped.
(ii) Class II
This class includes peas which do not qualify for inclusion in the Class I
but satisfy the minimum requirements specified above.
Shelling peas may be riper than those in Class I.
The following slight defects may be allowed provided the peas retain their
essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and
presentation.
For mange-tout peas, the pods may have:
- slight skin defects, injuries and bruises
- slight defects in shape, including those due to the seed formation
- slight defect in colouring
- slight not-progressive skin defects caused by pests
- slight drying, excluding wilted and uncoloured pods.
For shelling peas, the pods may have:
- slight defect in colouring
- slight damage provided it is not progressive and there is no risk of the
seeds being affected
- some loss of freshness, although wilted pods are excluded.
The pods must contain at least three seeds.
The peas may be:
- less well formed
- slightly less coloured
- slightly harder
- slightly damaged.
Over-mature peas are excluded.
III. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING
Size is not compulsory for peas.
IV. PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES
Tolerances in respect of quality shall be allowed in each package for
produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.
(i) Class I
10 % by weight of peas not satisfying the requirements of the class, but
meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of
that class.
(ii) Class II
10 % by weight of peas satisfying neither the requirements of the class nor
the minimum requirements, with the exception of produce affected by rotting,
progressive diseases or any other deterioration rendering it unfit for
consumption.
V. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION
A. Uniformity
The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only peas of the
same origin, variety and quality.
The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of
the entire contents.
B. Packaging
Peas must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly.
The materials used inside the package must be new, clean and of a quality
such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the produce. The
use of materials, particularly of paper or stamps bearing trade
specifications is allowed provided the printing or labelling has been done
with non-toxic ink or glue.
Packages must be free of all foreign matter.
VI. PROVISIONS CONCERNING MARKING
Each package must bear the following particulars, in letters grouped on the
same side, legibly and indelibly marked, and visible from the outside:
A. Identification
- Packer and/or dispatcher: Name and address or officially issued or
accepted code mark. However, where a code mark is used, the reference
"packer and/or dispatcher" (or equivalent abbreviations) has to be indicated
in close proximity to the code mark.
B. Nature of produce
- "Shelling peas", "Snow peas", "Sugar peas" or "Mange-tout peas" if the
contents are not visible from the outside.
C. Origin of produce
- Country of origin and, optionally, district where grown, or national,
regional or local place name.
D. Commercial specifications
- Class
E. Official control mark (optional)