Global Mozzarella

We read today that Paul Samuelson, the US Nobel for Economics, suggested that globalization is not a little responsible for the current export problems of buffalo mozzarella in the Far East.

There was a time when there was no such such thing as bad publicity, but it seems this is no longer the case and it's an interesting thought.

It seems the image of Italy abroad is taking a battering at the moment, but how much is true and how much deserved?

We can only comment on first hand experience.

In February, we went to Venice. During our time there news was circulating in the US, then elsewhere, that the water level of the lagoon was so low that gondolas could not circulate and a rare breed of insect was infecting the local population and tourists.

What a load of old cobblers. And double cobblers to boot.

The level of the lagoon was certainly lower than normal, but all very normal. So where did this report originate from?

Some say an anti mass tourist lobby in Venice had launched the news. Who knows?

But such was the take up by the world's press that many small family run hotels suddenly found they had canceled rooms on their books in a difficult start to the year.

It seems disinformation can be utilized to great effect. Political disinformation, we know all about, but economic? How interesting.

Wasn't there a run on food in Italy before Christmas?