ALAN OXLEY ON NEW-WAVE FARM SUBSIDIES:

There is a saying in politics that the last resort of rascals is to wrap themselves in the flag. The challenge to the EU to open food markets at the WTO conference next week at Cancun comes at an awkward time. It is an open secret that Europe’s businesses are losing global competitiveness. On cue, those chaps in Brussels have reached for the flag.

This flag is not the EU circle of gold stars on the blue background. While undoubtedly attractive, even visionary, no one waves that at football internationals. Go Europe: The true passion is not even reserved for the Tricolor or the Union Jack. It is the local icon. Barcelona, Manchester, Munich.

In a piece of political populist brilliance, some crafty guy in the European Commission picked up that there were food equivalents — Parma ham, Madeira port, Roqueforte cheese, just for starters — raw material for the perfect foil for some unpleasantness the EU was facing in the WTO.

I’m going to call it Parmesan, even if it comes from Wisconsin. I’ll be striking a blow for freedom!