It is true that, in the past, the EU did have rules on the sale of cabbages - but these totalled just under 2000 words and were abolished in 2006.

There are 263 words in the current EU regulations relating to the sale of any farm produce, but there is no specific mention of cabbages or, indeed, any leafy green vegetables.

It is also worth noting that there are several versions - each with different word counts - of the Gettysburg Address and even the Lord's Prayer.

I hate to let the facts get in the way of a good story, but you can't believe everything you read.

Jan Davis, Perth.

COUNTLESS hours in time and thousands of dollars have been allocated in the drawing up of the recent Cat Management Act.

Two aspects of the proposal will be of benefit, that being the micro-chipping and de sexing.

It is unfortunate suggestions made by RSPCA have been ignored.

After all they are the experts on animal welfare.

I find it difficult to comprehend how two most important issues have been left out of the Act.

It does not include registration and confinement of cats on their owner’s property.

Unless these are added to the proposal, little will be achieved.

Don’t let it be a failure, and waste of time and money.

Audrey Holloway, Newstead/Whitemark.

ANY informed assessment of the George Town Council’s budget estimates for 2017/18 would indicate a serious fiscal situation detrimental to ratepayers.

Unfortunately too few elected members both past and present have sought to correct an obvious and evolving problem.

Successive general managers have presented unsustainable budgets for approval. 

Despite protests and scrutiny from a minority of elected members and some within the community it is now all ratepayers who are collectively debt laden.

Attachments to the budget papers reveal council’s belated desire to “work collaboratively with our community and key stakeholders towards improving the economy, our quality of life, environment, assets, infrastructure and governance processes and standards”.

Those who attend council meetings on a regular basis or take an interest in council affairs will no doubt be sceptical of the rhetoric. Is it too much to expect that all elected members do as they were elected to do and act as a board with the authority to direct a general manager through policy of governance and financial responsibility for the betterment of ratepayers?

Graeme Neilsen, George Town.

THE LATEST polling on whether Australians want a plebiscite on marriage equality is misleading.

Support for a plebiscite has only increased 7 per cent and is still in the minority.

On top of this, other polls have shown that when voters are reminded a plebiscite will cost at least $160 million and isn't binding on politicians, support plummets.

According to a recent Galaxy poll it goes down to 27 per cent. Australians want marriage equality resolved post-haste. 

The quickest, cheapest and least acrimonious way to do that is through a free vote in parliament.

Jen Van-Achteren, Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group