Political relations between UK-EU

[BobKowalski]

FT with a report on Rules of Origin (a woman) freezing out the UK as a distribution hub for European supply chains. Modesty prevents me from pointing out that I said the deal will see supply chains reconfigure and bypass UK. The alternative is the EU making the UK an exception. but that will involve us giving something in return.

‘It's a function of the Rules of Origin clauses that mean that goods have to sufficiently "originate" in the UK to qualify for zero-tariff entry to EU (and vice versa). But to qualify, you have to do something to the goods - process them or add value - not just punt them on.

So what did the EU tell my FT colleague when he asked officials whether this was going to be sorted?

“You can’t expect Brexit not to have consequences. The UK won’t be a distribution hub for the EU any more. EU businesses will need to stop relying on UK hubs.” @FT

 

[BobKowalski]

Finally NI and supermarket shortages which are due to hauliers not getting through because they don’t have the right paperwork. NI border is complex given the unique situation. This in time will sort itself as people learn what paperwork is required for what load, but inevitably supply chains will also reconfigure to an all Ireland economy solution.

The effects of trade barriers 101. Increase costs, more red tape, lower trade, bypass the problem were possible.

 

[BobKowalski]

House Committee on NI protocols is sitting today. Excerpts from RTE

‘Leheny told the cttee that one large manufacturer had 15 lorries of food bound for NI and none of them could move because there was no customs declaration. The driver said, no point or I’ll be detained or refused entry to NI at Cairnryan and Liverpool.

Leheny also says one company sent 285 lorries to GB, only got 100 lorries back to NI. Knock on effect is they can’t service NI exports going back to GB because they have lorries and equipment sitting in England waiting for loads that aren’t ready because businesses in England and Wales haven’t been prepared.

Logistics UK's Freight NI faces down the DUP's Ian Paisley over the protocol

Paisley asks why industry isn't calling for it to be disapplied amid GB-NI issues

Leheny says no members are asking for that and points out that biz supported the backstop, which the DUP torpedoed’

Ouch

 

[mcfc1632]

I don’t think you thought that one through...

Think I have - but thanks for your sage comment

 

[mcfc1632]

FT with a report on Rules of Origin (a woman) freezing out the UK as a distribution hub for European supply chains. Modesty prevents me from pointing out that I said the deal will see supply chains reconfigure and bypass UK. The alternative is the EU making the UK an exception. but that will involve us giving something in return.

‘It's a function of the Rules of Origin clauses that mean that goods have to sufficiently "originate" in the UK to qualify for zero-tariff entry to EU (and vice versa). But to qualify, you have to do something to the goods - process them or add value - not just punt them on.

So what did the EU tell my FT colleague
he asked officials whether this was going to be sorted?

“You can’t expect Brexit not to have consequences. The UK won’t be a distribution hub for the EU any more. EU businesses will need to stop relying on UK hubs.” @FT

And...........

Is 2021 going to be a year of mentioning utterly obvious matters - matters that should not be a surprise to people

 

[west didsblue]

Agreed indeed

But, I do not recall there being any caveats to the 'predictions of doom' - such as the apocalypse will likely not materialise until February, because....

But anyway, I am all for looking to the future and I am sure, you and all other posters on here will join me in just being absolutely delighted that there are - to date - no signs of the 'disaster' that was predicted - afterall, we all want what is best for the UK

Let's all be cautious though and keep monitoring things with fingers crossed

Thank you for the daily update.
I'm sure you can find a live stream from the port of Dover so you can alert us any time the situation changes.

While you're waiting perhaps you could explain the benefits to the UK of the movement of 99.8% of European share trading to Paris, the new tariffs on bananas from Ghana, the lack of access for UK fishermen to areas controlled by Norway and external territories of Denmark, all the companies that will no longer export to the UK due to additional costs and red tape etc, the inability for UK companies to export chilled minced red meat, chilled meat preparations (for example, raw sausages), minced meat (poultry), poultry and ratite or game bird mechanically-separated meat, ungraded eggs and composite products containing dairy products made from unpasteurised milk (for example, a ready meal topped with unpasteurised cheese).

 

[jaseirai]

Anywho...back to fishing

‘We’ve been telling the same story for more than two years, well before Kirkella was christened at Greenwich in 2019. But there is little sign the UK government has listened. Without individual bilateral deals on quotas with Greenland, the Faroes and especially Norway, there is no long-term viable distant-waters fishing industry in the UK from January 1’

UK Fisheries - Media centre for the UK’s distant waters fishing fleet

The media centre has the latest news and views as well as videos, images and infographics. Media contact is trevor.datson@etoilepartners.com

ukfisheries.net

I assume you missed this.

Marine Scotland intercepts Irish fishing boat in the 12-mile zone around Rockall

David Davis, former Brexit Secretary: “It's ironic that the Scottish government is the first to expel an EU vessel from British waters'

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[mcfc1632]

This article suggests that:

"Brexit has broken the EU’s equilibrium. Britain was seen as a vital counterweight to the calls for greater European integration by socially conservative countries like Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. With that individualist voice gone, the so-called ‘Visegrád Four’ have recognised the need to assert themselves – western Europe should be worried.

With Britain gone, smaller nations are banding together to fight EU integration - CapX

I disagree - or at least feel the need to qualify

Western Europe - in the guise of Germany and France have no need to worry at all.

Holland and others perhaps - certainly all the smaller nations that will see manoeuvres by the EU to coerce them into integration through their control over the MFF and the Covid recovery funds.

For the UK - whilst we might wish to spare a thought for the majority of the 27 - I suggest that we spend our time just being content to be now be free of this never-ending palaver

 

[mcfc1632]

For me - avoiding the inevitable race to the bottom journey to which the EU is committed through integration and the consequences of the steps required to achieve that - was the main driver (none other was required) to support exiting the EU.

I can understand though that some Leave supporters were exercised by the stream of regulations. This article suggests some that the author feels should be reviewed.

For me, now is the time to focus on the vaccination programme and where to invest - which regulations should be set aside will just follow - but they might be of interest to some.

10 EU regulations the Government should now scrap - CapX

 

[mcfc1632]

I assume you missed this.

Marine Scotland intercepts Irish fishing boat in the 12-mile zone around Rockall

David Davis, former Brexit Secretary: “It's ironic that the Scottish government is the first to expel an EU vessel from British waters'

www.telegraph.co.uk

You have to ask - why were they there?