Current Affairs EU In or Out

[peteblue]

Indeed. A hypothetical pan-EU armed force formed tomorrow from current EU members (including us) would have slightly more active members than the US armed forces have (around 1.3 million, though that includes the quasi-police units in Italy and France), around half the funding the US armed forces have (so more than the Russians and the Chinese) and have the second most powerful navy in the world. After 10-20 years of consolidation (so that equipment was standardized, training was brought up to the level of the best forces and they were all taught the same language) the force would be considerably more effective than it would be on day one.

You can see why so many of the Atlanticists are against the idea; the people who pay them really do not want a rival - which is what an EU force really would be.

Additionally, you are reiterating a point I have raised many times, in that a powerful EU army would also threaten Russia. Just what we need, another level of paranoia in Moscow.......

 

[Bluerover]

I have some years' experience regarding the EU Food and Feed Hygiene Regs - in simple terms they are what approve food businesses to use the oval mark on food of animal origin.

The Swiss and Norwegians are signed up to these and consequently can access the EU market with oval marked food produce.

The UK seems determined to leave everything including being subject to these regs. This will make UK food of animal origin much less sought after by EU consumers - never mind probable additional costs because of tariffs.

Does anyone know what plan HMG has to protect UK producers after the exit?

EU produce will continue to have the oval mark on UK shelves although again probably dearer than currently. However UK consumers can be assured of its conformity with the hygiene regs.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

“Britain will cut taxes and slash tariffs under secret plans drawn up by officials to kick-start the economy in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Sir Mark Sedwill, the Cabinet Secretary, has led a cross-departmental team examining the "economic levers" that can be used to make Britain more competitive.
The plans, which have been drawn up under the codename "Project After", include a series of aggressive policies to help the UK "steal a march" on the European Union.
The most significant measures include cuts to corporation tax and VAT along with further tax relief to encourage more business investment.”

The game is indeed almost up.......

So which is it Pete? That is a tacit admission that the economy would suffer as a result of Brexit, and therefore need kick starting, which is something that has always been dismissed as 'project fear'. Are you putting that to bed now?

Secondly, if taxes are to be cut, what would that mean for public services, especially in 'left behind' communities that overwhelmingly voted to leave?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I have some years' experience regarding the EU Food and Feed Hygiene Regs - in simple terms they are what approve food businesses to use the oval mark on food of animal origin.

The Swiss and Norwegians are signed up to these and consequently can access the EU market with oval marked food produce.

The UK seems determined to leave everything including being subject to these regs. This will make UK food of animal origin much less sought after by EU consumers - never mind probable additional costs because of tariffs.

Does anyone know what plan HMG has to protect UK producers after the exit?

EU produce will continue to have the oval mark on UK shelves although again probably dearer than currently. However UK consumers can be assured of its conformity with the hygiene regs.

Everything they have is in here - https://assets.publishing.service.g...ata/file/776885/Partnership_pack_Feb_2019.pdf

Page 67 onwards deals with agriculture. If this is something that affects you, it's a bit worrying that you haven't been contacted, especially as systems testing was supposedly done by January of this year.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

As an aside, it's also interesting in that 'no deal prep pack' that they're warning consumers that if your passport expires this year, it's quite possible you won't be able to travel with it.

UK passports are currently accepted for travel to the Schengen area up until their expiry date. This is because the UK is a member of the EU. If the UK leaves the EU without an agreement, some older passports that are nearing their expiry date may not be accepted by EU countries.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

[Withdrawn] Register for transitional simplified procedures to import goods in a no-deal Brexit

Make it easier to import goods from the EU in a no-deal Brexit by delaying your declaration and paying import duties and VAT.

www.gov.uk

This is the form to fill if you're an importer btw.

 

[Bluerover]

Everything they have is in here - https://assets.publishing.service.g...ata/file/776885/Partnership_pack_Feb_2019.pdf

Page 67 onwards deals with agriculture. If this is something that affects you, it's a bit worrying that you haven't been contacted, especially as systems testing was supposedly done by January of this year.

Thanks Bruce. No longer work in that area but I am interested given past experience.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

(I'm sure Pete, Joey, OldBlue et al would have been along to help any moment now as they've got their fingers on the pulse with that thing they voted for)

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Thanks Bruce. No longer work in that area but I am interested given past experience.

If it's an area you have experience in, I know I would be really interested in your opinion on the food-related stuff in the document, as I'm sure other regular visitors to this thread would be.

 

[Bluerover]

Everything they have is in here - https://assets.publishing.service.g...ata/file/776885/Partnership_pack_Feb_2019.pdf

Page 67 onwards deals with agriculture. If this is something that affects you, it's a bit worrying that you haven't been contacted, especially as systems testing was supposedly done by January of this year.

Reading that it seems UK products of animal origin will continue to have an oval mark but it cannot contain EC as is currently the situation. UK and the approval number will stay as is.

Thanks again Bruce.

 

[hirons11]

Additionally, you are reiterating a point I have raised many times, in that a powerful EU army would also threaten Russia. Just what we need, another level of paranoia in Moscow.......

Maybe you could see it as the big quiet lad at school who was good at every sport who never had to have a fight in his life because no one was stupid enough to have a go at him?

 

[dublinbluenose]

Additionally, you are reiterating a point I have raised many times, in that a powerful EU army would also threaten Russia. Just what we need, another level of paranoia in Moscow.......

I wonder did Moscow ponder on this in the lead up to the Brexit vote?

 

[peteblue]

Maybe you could see it as the big quiet lad at school who was good at every sport who never had to have a fight in his life because no one was stupid enough to have a go at him?

Except that the EU is a loud mouthed bully ....

 

[peteblue]

So which is it Pete? That is a tacit admission that the economy would suffer as a result of Brexit, and therefore need kick starting, which is something that has always been dismissed as 'project fear'. Are you putting that to bed now?

Secondly, if taxes are to be cut, what would that mean for public services, especially in 'left behind' communities that overwhelmingly voted to leave?

There is a Global slowdown, everybody are lowering their forecasts including the EU. The U.K. has just done similar. These actions will put us back on track and faster.

If taxes are cut that doesn’t mean that the tax take is reduced, you know this....

 

[Harryflashman]

Except that the EU is a loud mouthed bully ....

Pity that hull lad isn’t still here you’d definitely be agreeing on this .