In News Focus #26, we go to Quebec in Canada, producer of 75% of the world s maple syrup. Spring is the time for traditional maple syrup festivals with city folk heading out to the farms for a day eating pancakes, riding in open wagons, and seeing how maple syrup is made. But with syrup prices climbing steadily, Canadians have been shocked to hear that $30 million worth of syrup had been stolen from a large warehouse in Quebec. Click here to find out more. March 23, 2013 Maple Syrup Mysteriously Missing The maple tree is one of the most recognized symbols of Canada, but did you know that March is Maple Syrup Festival time? It s a wonderful spring tradition stretching back decades: city folk head out to the farms to eat pancakes, ride in open wagons and see how the sap is collected from the trees and made into syrup. Canada produces about 85 percent of the world's maple syrup - valued at over $213 million annually. There are approximately 10,500 producers across the country, located mainly in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Islands that export maple products to 45 countries worldwide. Maple syrup s wholesome, traditional image was shattered in December last year. Canadians were shocked to hear about the theft of $18 million worth of maple syrup in Quebec, an area that produces around 75 percent of the world's maple syrup. Details are still vague, but it seems that during the spring and summer of 2012, a procession of syrup-filled trucks from Quebec, Canada arrived at Maple Grove Farms in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, in northeastern U.S.A. There was nothing unusual about that, considering that Maple Grove is the largest packer of pure maple syrup in the United States. It packets and sells bottles of syrup to giant supermarkets such as Wal- Mart and Safeway. But on July 30, when the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers discovered a massive theft from its warehouse in Quebec, the deliveries took on a new significance. The federation is now alleging that the trucks were carrying stolen syrup. The news that millions of dollars worth of maple syrup had been stolen from the Quebec warehouse caused amazement. How could the thieves steal that much syrup? How did they plan to sell it? The police threw everything at the investigation. They interviewed nearly 300 people in the industry and searched buildings in Canada and the northern United States. To date, 23 people have been charged and are facing trial; one suspect is still being sought. The investigation has revealed a dark side to maple syrup sales. In 2002, Quebec tightened its supply system and introduced strict quotas on syrup producers. More importantly, it established a single sales agency through which all syrup must be sold (the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers). The aim was to make sure that producers got a fair price for the syrup that they produced, and as a result the price of syrup has climbed steadily. Producers who exceed their quotas must give up their excess and transfer it to Quebec s strategic reserve. This reserve is then stored in case cold weather results in a bad season. This all sounds very sensible but the result has been a black market that encourages smuggling and illegal sales. Last year s huge
theft of maple syrup was actually from the strategic reserve, and the investigation has revealed that there have certainly been other thefts of the valuable syrup in the past. [A] READING CHECK Are these sentences correct (C) or incorrect (I)? 1. The Canadians collect maple tree sap in spring. (C) (I) 2. Canada produces all the maple syrup in the world. (C) (I) 3. Almost $20 million worth of maple syrup was stolen in 2012. (C) (I) 4. Canadian police interviewed people in Canada and the U.S.A. (C) (I) 5. To date 23 people have been sentenced and sent to prison. (C) (I) 6. Syrup quotas were put in place five years ago. (C) (I) 7. Since the quotas were introduced, the price of syrup has fallen. (C) (I) 8. The strict quotas have led to illegal smuggling and trading. (C) (I)
[B] SUMMARY Complete the summary using the words in the box below. alleging approximately black market illegal interviewed quotas shattered trial valuable valued Canada produces about 85 percent of the world's maple syrup -- [ ] [1] at over $213 million annually. There are [ ] [2] 10,500 producers across the country, located mainly in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Islands that export maple products to 45 countries worldwide. Maple syrup s wholesome image was [ ] [3] last year by the theft of $18 million worth of syrup. The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers discovered a massive theft from its warehouse. The federation is now [ ] [4] that the stolen syrup was carried in trucks across the border to Vermont in northeastern U.S.A. where it was sold to Maple Grove, the largest packer of pure maple syrup in the United States. The police [ ] [5] nearly 300 people and searched buildings. To date, 23 people have been charged and are facing [ ] [6]. The investigation has revealed a dark side to maple syrup sales. Strict [ ] [7] on syrup producers have led to prices climbing. This is turn has led to a [ ] [8] that encourages smuggling and [ ] [9] sales. While last year s theft was certainly the largest, it is likely that there have been other thefts of the [ ] [10] syrup in the past. [C] HOW TO SAY: instructions Here are some instructions for maple syrup events. Look out for maple syrup festivals in March and early April. Dress appropriately. Maple syrup festivals happen outdoors in the "sugar bush" and the weather in March is still cold and wet. Think warm layers of clothing especially for the kids. Bring along plenty of cash to buy some tasty snacks and treats. Maple syrup events can get very busy. Be prepared for a long line for those yummy maple syrup pancakes. Below are some instructions for making homemade maple syrup taffy. Put the instructions in the correct order. (The first and the last sentences are in the correct place.) 1. Avoid tapping trees that are smaller than 12 cm in diameter. 2. Hang a bucket onto the spigot and collect the sap that runs out. 3. Pour hot homemade syrup over some cold snow. 4. Boil the sticky syrup the same day that you collect it. You ll need 40 liters of sap to make one liter of maple syrup. 5. Knock a small metal spigot into the hole. 6. Drill into the tree 30 cm from the ground. Slant the hole upwards.
7. Peel the taffy from the top of the snow. Eat it. [D] UP CLOSE Here are some more instructions in the form of a pancake recipe from Canada. Complete the recipe using these verbs: add combine cook flip heat put serve whisk Maple syrup is a natural, healthy and pure sweetener and this makes it a great substitute for sugar. Before I moved to Toronto, I had never tried maple syrup! Now I always keep a small bottle in my refrigerator and pancakes topped with maple syrup are a favorite Sunday breakfast for my family. Here s an easy family recipe for fluffy yogurt pancakes topped with maple syrup. 1 cup flour 1 tablespoon of sugar 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup plain yogurt 2 eggs 2 tablespoons of oil [.] the flour, soda, salt and sugar. [.] the yogurt and eggs together and [.] them to the flour. [.] up some oil in a frying pan on medium heat. [.] one large spoon of batter into the hot pan. In a couple of minutes, when you notice bubbles forming, [.] the pancake and [.] the other side for about two more minutes. [.] warm with your favorite savory or sweet toppings, such as butter, cream cheese, fruits, honey, jam, or, of course, maple syrup!
Answers: Mysterious Maple Syrup [A] READING CHECK Are these sentences correct (C) or incorrect (I)? 1. The Canadians collect maple tree sap in Spring. (C) 2. Canada produces all the maple syrup in the world. (I) [It produces 85% of the world s maple syrup.] 3. Almost $20 million worth of maple syrup was stolen in 2012. (C) 4. Canadian police interviewed people in Canada and the U.S.A. (C) 5. To date 23 people have been sentenced and sent to prison. (I) [23 people have been arrested. They have yet to stand trial and have not yet been sentenced.] 6. Syrup quotas were put in place five years ago. (I) [In 2002.] 7. Since the quotas were introduced, the price of syrup has fallen. (I) [The price of syrup has climbed steadily.] 8. The strict quotas have led to illegal smuggling and trading. (C) [B] SUMMARY Complete the summary using the words in the box below. Canada produces about 85 percent of the world's maple syrup [valued] at over $213 million annually. There are [approximately] 10,500 producers across the country, located mainly in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Islands that export maple products to 45 countries worldwide. Maple syrup s wholesome image was [shattered] last year by the theft of $18 million worth of syrup. The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers discovered a massive theft from its warehouse. The federation is now [alleging] that the stolen syrup was carried in trucks across the border to Vermont in northeastern U.S.A. where it was sold to Maple Grove, the largest packer of pure maple syrup in the United States. The police [interviewed] nearly 300 people and searched buildings. To date, 23 people have been charged and are facing [trial]. The investigation has revealed a dark side to maple syrup sales. Strict [quotas] on syrup producers have led to prices climbing. This is turn has led to a [black market] that encourages smuggling and [illegal] sales. While last year s theft was certainly the largest, it is likely that there have been other thefts of the [valuable] syrup in the past.
[C] HOW TO SAY: instructions Below are some instructions for making homemade maple syrup taffy. Put the instructions in the correct order. 1. Avoid tapping trees that are smaller than 12 cm in diameter. 6. Drill into the tree 30 cm from the ground. Slant the hole upwards. 5. Knock a small metal spigot into the hole. 2. Hang a bucket onto the spigot and collect the sap that runs out. 4. Boil the sticky syrup the same day that you collect it. You ll need 40 liters of sap to make one liter of maple syrup. 3. Pour hot homemade syrup over some cold snow. 7. Peel the taffy from the top of the snow. Eat it. [D] UP CLOSE Complete the recipe using these verbs: [Combine] the flour, soda, salt and sugar. [Whisk] the yogurt and eggs together and [add] them to the flour. [Heat ] up some oil in a frying pan on medium heat. [Put] one large spoon of batter into the hot pan. In a couple of minutes, when you notice bubbles forming, [flip] the pancake and [cook] the other side for about two more minutes. [Serve] warm with your favorite savory or sweet toppings, such as butter, cream cheese, fruits, honey, jam, or, of course, maple syrup!