[MAK]

I have been following the thread "Selling on the front door" and thought I should share my day.
Today I visited the town hall and asked about doing a christmas market stall.
In general there are very simular laws and rules across Europe it is just that the general public of the UK are more likeley to follow them than in some other countries. Maybe there are fewer or less enthusuastic "inspectors" to enforce these rules is some parts of the EEC too.
Anyway the bottom line is that if you sell food products on a French market then you should adhere to the same production and hygienne regulations as in the UK. You also need a market traders licence UNLESS you are doing just 3-4 "car-boot style markets" a year ( these are difficult to identify as they are often combined with antique markets or the village Fete de something or other. To do a Christmas Market you need to buy a licence for £12 BUT also register as a "sole trader" with the Chamber of Commerce then buy public liability insurrance. The cost to register goes up each year and the tax office will send you a tax form so you pay 12% of your turnover ( not your profit) monthly or quarterley. Yo do not have to present books or show receipts - it's a voluntary tax declaration.
Now here is the god bit. There are 180 British "sole traders" registered in our small French market town in a VERY rural part of France. Why - becuase if you register as a sole trader you get full health care cover even if you declare a ZERO turnover and pay ZERO tax.     
So there are advatages to obeying the rules and getting a market card that I am told no-one ever asks for. Me- I have no market card, pay my French taxes and have private health insurrance and today the town hall shrugged their shoulders and gave me a market stall number. It's a funny old world.