Massachusetts becomes first state to legalise haggis after Scotland fans take over Boston

Massachusetts has become the first state in America to legalise haggis after campaigning by the Tartan Army in Boston.

The Scottish staple is illegal in the United States and has been banned since 1971 under federal food regulations because it contains sheep’s lungs.

There are alternative versions that leave the lungs out of the recipe, adding more heart or extra liver.

But the Governor of Massachusetts, Maura Healey, signed an executive order alongside Scottish podcaster David McIntosh Jnr at the State House in Boston yesterday.

“We just made haggis legal in Massachusetts,” she said in a clip shared on social media.

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More than 20,000 Scotland fans have travelled to Massachusetts, with Scotland beating Haiti 1-0 at Boston Stadium at the weekend before taking on Morocco at the same venue.

As well as enjoying the football, the Tartan Army have been making the most of their time in the US with thousands taking to Fenway Park to watch a Boston Red Sox game.

A number of pubs and bars in the city have reported running low on beer as the thirsty travelling fans caused a surge in demand.

Governor Healey previously said: “The Tartan Army has brought the energy, joy, and enthusiasm to Massachusetts. This is truly what the World Cup is all about.”

She also added: “Between the bagpipes, the kilts, and thousands of Scotland fans turning Boston into their home away from home, the Tartan Army has made quite an impression on Massachusetts.”

Scottish butcher Simon Howie launched a “Make Haggis Legal Again” petition to reinstate the national dish stateside.

A spokesperson said: “Scotland football fans are widely recognised as the best in the world, and they are about to make the trip of a lifetime, but they’ll be doing it without access to their national dish.

“With such warmth and long-standing affinity between Americans and Scots we’re appealing to the USA to embrace this delicious delicacy and Make Haggis Legal Again.”

More than 500 signatures have been recorded so far on the petition.

Simon Howie and the Governor of Massachusetts have been contacted for comment.