For almost twenty years the humble haggis has been the source of political tensions between the United States and Scotland. However, now after 21 years the United States will once again allow the haggis back through its borders.
Originally, the food item was banned from the US because authorities feared that its key ingredient, minced sheep offal, was possibly lethal.
Haggis are customarily served on Burns’ night along with whisky, to celebrate the legacy that Robert Burns left behind. For the first time in nearly half a generation, Americans with Scottish roots can celebrate Burns night with the treat.
Over the years there are have been many stories of Scots braving the wrath of the up-start colonials by attempting to smuggle the food into the US, taking the real risk of deportation.
Many have also tried to create haggis within the US, but failed due to the fact that the key ingredient for the pudding is sheep offal, which was previously banned from consumption by the US.
The ban was reversed after prompting from Scottish National party leader, Alex Salmond, who lobbied US officials several times while visiting the United States.
The decision to allow sheep offal consumption is probably prompted by the decision of the World Organization for Animal Health that sheep lungs no longer carry the contaminate scarpie, which is a type of mad cow diastase.
Last year in the UK almost £9m haggis were sold on Burns night alone, which is an increase of around 19% compared to the sales of the item in 2008.
