The Conservative Cave
Current Events => Economics => Topic started by: bijou on March 22, 2008, 08:25:25 AM
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...His words came after high levels of dioxin were found in samples of buffalo milk. Sixty-six buffalo herds have been quarantined. Despite assurances that only tiny quantities are affected, sales of Neapolitan mozzarella have fallen by half in recent weeks.
Fears that dioxin — which is linked to cancer and birth defects — was infecting both agricultural land and livestock arose at the end of last year when rotting piles of uncollected rubbish in the Naples area began to produce dioxin fumes. Residents have been screened for contamination.
...The rubbish crisis — which is linked to saturated illegal landfills operated by the Camorra, the Naples Mafia — remains largely unresolved. Illegally buried waste is said to have contaminated soil and locally produced fruit and vegetables as well as buffalo herds....
link (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article3599501.ece)
I've posted this here, because I have just finished Gomorrah by Roberto Saviano (http://www.amazon.com/Gomorrah-Roberto-Saviano/dp/0374165270/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206117226&sr=8-1). It's about one of the mafias of Italy, the Commora based in Naples, Campania. It was a fascinating account of their activities and very current with the news today about the tainting of buffalo milk they use to make mozzarella likely being due to mob control of the waste industry. It also shows how they have embraced the global markets.
Though scarily enough they aren't even the most 'successful' mafia group, that dishonour goes to the 'Ndrangheta from Calabria with the Scicilian Cosa Nostra coming in a poor third.
It is only in hardback at the moment but I found it in the library, recommended reading for those interested in true crime and the like.
Just amazing how organised crime can entirely distort the economy of a country.
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That will be an interesting read. I always assumed the mafia ran Italy for the last 150 years.
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Aww...cheez!
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That will be an interesting read. I always assumed the mafia ran Italy for the last 150 years.
It seems to have been concentrated in the south until a misguided policy of not allowing convicted mafiosi to return to their home areas meant that they had to move north and start again. Lacking the desire to change their ways meant that they were able to start again in a new place.
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Aww...cheez!
Can we milk this thread for a few more puns?
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No more puns, my stomach is already churning.
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No more puns, my stomach is already churning.
Oh, stop your beefing. :-)
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So, you want puns.....uh.....sorry, but I'm buffaloed at the moment.
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I keep seeing this headline, and it reminds me of the Simpson's episode where Fat Tony takes over the school from Skinner and starts serving rat milk to the kids.