The Swiss government has agreed to ease restrictions on the importation of potatoes following fears that Euro 2008 soccer fans could face a shortage of French fries next month.
A spokesperson for the country’s department of agriculture told national radio on Wednesday that the government would allow an additional 5 000 tonnes of potatoes to be brought in.
The decision follows a request by Swiss potato industry association Swisspatat who warned that supplies were already running low in the buildup to the June tournament.
The association has estimated that 3 000 additional tonnes will be needed to make chips for foreign supporters, with the remaining 2 000 used for other forms of potato.
Switzerland has already been fretting over dwindling supplies of its beloved ”cervelat” sausage following a European Union ban on the Brazilian cows’ intestines traditionally used to encase the meat. – Reuters