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Sorry - forgot to add file! Further to my most recent blog I am attaching the Consultees list that names the people and companies supposedly working wirth Defra on the new jam regulations. When all of this was first announced I registered on the Defra website to be notified when the consultation opened - both as Rosie Makes and The Guild of Jam and Preserve Makers. Needless to say I was not sent the email that was promised, and we are not on the Consultee list. I also emailed Vince Cable's office on the official contact form, both at his surgery and parliament - no reply. I have attached the Consultee list for you to see and I have listed the companies and individuals who have anything to do with jam, in red. For the rest, I have researched what the companies do and there are some surprising inclusions for a consultation over Jam and Similar Products - have a look through. Indian foods, chocolate manufacturers, South African Biltong, frozen fish and meats, Pizza Hut etc etc. Only 35 of the 129 Consultees are jam related and before she went on holiday Vivien Lloyd rang 13 of the 35 and only one had had a letter about the consultation. The rest were unaware of the situation. Obviously Defra are intending to rubber stamp the proposed changes and the Consultee list is cosmetic only, as very few of the Consultees have actually been consulted.They are assuming that no-one will look at this or take any notice of what is happening. Who are Defra anyway, to be qualified to make these decisions - who is actually doing this? Is it a committee, an individual - a government minister or department - how does it work? 21 of the 129 Consultees are honey producers. The decision on the new regulations are going to be taken by people and companies that ARE PREDOMINATELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE INDUSTRY. To prevent this YOU need to make a representation to Defra via the official form which can be found on their website - you have until 22 May to do this. Please do not let these new laws be adopted through sheer apathy - you have a right to make representation. MAKE A NOISE! 
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 There has been much in the news and on Twitter recently regarding the proposal bt Defra to change the law for Jam and Similar Products.(England) 2013. Now, if you are an Artisan or commercial manufacturer you must go to the Defra website, please, and register your views before the closing date for the consultation which is 22 May 2013. If you an enthusiastic amateur it would be great if you could spare the time to do the same - we are in danger here of losing our heritage and tradition for the sake of commercialism. There was a very good article in The Mail on Sunday last week by Valerie Elliott setting out what is going on. The article can be found here - please read it as it explains what is happening really well. You can then go to the Defra website and make your views known here I am going to formulate my response to the consultation over this weekend but fundamentally it will be based on a letter I composed to send to Defra when I first heard about these proposals. I will provide a link for you to read it but I won't actually be sending it as I need to reply to the specific questions in the consultation. It will tell you, however, how I feel about the situation. I have also put a link to the current laws for you. Vivien Lloyd, who also features in the article, is running a petition which you can sign here. Just click on the big jar of jam and it will take you through to where you can add your name to the petition - please do. Please do your bit for British Jam.
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