The Brexit Thread

[Sandstorm]

I'm pretty certain that the current Government would be more than happy to continue their regime of centralisation and authoritarianism by imposing an Emergency Powers Act and chucking troops back on the streets.

No-one over here gives a shit about NI any more. Albatross that can go co-habit with their Southern brethren.

[Insane_Homer]

[SaintK]

Par for the course for that tosser!

[SaintK]

Double post!!

[tabascoboy]

EU getting exasperated, US president warning the UK Government not to jeopardise the GFA and issuing a formal rebuke (and of course still no sign of a US/UK trade deal). Just another post Brexit day in the "best move we ever made".

But apparently we can open a new market source for olive oil with Tunisia so that's all right then.

[tabascoboy]

Looks like kangaroo meat is back on the menu, boys! But are our cheese faction going to be disappoint?

UK and Australia in first post-Brexit trade deal

A trade deal between the UK and Australia has been agreed between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his counterpart, Scott Morrison. Downing Street said the new pact meant British products such as cars, Scotch whisky, biscuits and ceramics would be cheaper to sell to Australia.

However, there has been concern from UK farmers worried they may be undercut on price and standards.

The deal is the first to be built from scratch since the UK left the EU.
...
But the newly formed cross-party UK Trade and Business Commission reacted with alarm to the deal, which it says has not been properly seen nor examined by parliament.

"The prime minister has just spent the weekend arguing with our closest allies about a treaty that he pushed through parliament with limited scrutiny," said Labour's Hilary Benn, who chairs the commission.
"This highlights the risks of rushing through deals for short-term political gain while failing to understand the long-term consequences."
...
Farmers in Australia are allowed to use some hormone growth promoters, pesticides, and feed additives that are banned in the UK.

The UK Trade and Business Commission is worried that Australian farming operates on a scale that UK counterparts cannot compete with, saying Australia contains eight of the 10 largest farms in the world, including one which is larger than Israel.

According to the UK's National Farmers Union, Australian farmers are able to produce beef at a lower cost of production, and could undercut farmers in the UK.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57478412

[Insane_Homer]

[fishfoodie]

and now this is the worst case deal any equivalent sized country will accept from the UK, & so; even if this doesn't kill British farming, wait till they do a similar deal with Brazil.

[tabascoboy]

Yes!!! We're getting the best out of this deal then...oh, wait

A trade deal with Australia could lift UK GDP by 0.02 per cent, or £500 million ($914 million), while British forecasts suggest GDP in Australia could grow by up to £700 million ($1.3 billion).

https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/a-n ... 5817c.html

Now I have to think long and hard about what to spend that saved £1.22 on...or to put it toward my pension...

[Hal Jordan]

Poundland are rubbing their hands in glee.

[Tichtheid]

I will eat my hat if there aren't several more £1.22 benefits to be had from Brexit to offset everything that has been lost.

[Slick]

I will eat my hat if there aren't several more £1.22 benefits to be had from Brexit to offset everything that has been lost.

[Insane_Homer]

[Insane_Homer]

Clearly also stole their edukayshun!

[tabascoboy]

Clearly also stole their edukayshun!

Must be #fakenews #falseflag - I men no-one voted for Brexit to "kick 'em all out!", right?

[Paddington Bear]

To what extent do we believe that is real

[Insane_Homer]

To what extent do we believe that is real

To what extent do you think it's not?

[Tichtheid]

Tariffs axed immediately on Australian beef and lamb, triggering fears that farmers will be sent ‘to the wall’
Small print – revealed by Canberra, but suppressed in London – reveals pledge to protect farmers for 15 years has been dropped


https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p ... F_CfqZHj0U

[Paddington Bear]

To what extent do we believe that is real

To what extent do you think it's not?

It's written like how someone who writes for newsthump would imitate an EDL supporter.
Clearly typed up on word so the person has either made deliberate spelling mistakes to remind us brexiteers are stupid, or taken at face value they've got so hot under the collar about foreigners that they didn't have time to right click and correct the spelling mistakes, but did have time to print it off, cut out the section of paper, find the person's address, properly label the address, get a first class stamp and stick it in the post. Also a bit of a random time to make the Brexit point.

If it is real then obviously we should track the person who did it and prosecute them, but I'd bet good money it's fake.

[Insane_Homer]

It's written like how someone who writes for newsthump would imitate an EDL supporter.

or maybe it was written by the guys @ GBNews?

[tabascoboy]

Tariffs axed immediately on Australian beef and lamb, triggering fears that farmers will be sent ‘to the wall’
Small print – revealed by Canberra, but suppressed in London – reveals pledge to protect farmers for 15 years has been dropped


https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p ... F_CfqZHj0U

Can't say I've ever seen Australian sourced meats in the supermarkets here, NZ of course we import shedloads of lamb. If we suddenly start seeing Aussie sourced meats appearing on the shelves not sure our farmers are going to let that slide.

[robmatic]

Tariffs axed immediately on Australian beef and lamb, triggering fears that farmers will be sent ‘to the wall’
Small print – revealed by Canberra, but suppressed in London – reveals pledge to protect farmers for 15 years has been dropped


https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p ... F_CfqZHj0U

Can't say I've ever seen Australian sourced meats in the supermarkets here, NZ of course we import shedloads of lamb. If we suddenly start seeing Aussie sourced meats appearing on the shelves not sure our farmers are going to let that slide.

Think there was previously a maximum quota for Australian meat in the EU.

I don't get the UK government strategy on this. The British climate isn't great for many types of agriculture but we can be relatively self-sufficient in beef and lamb. It will be very difficult for British farmers to compete with ranch-style production, however, without some fairly significant changes to the landscape and the number/size of farms.

[Insane_Homer]

It's written like how someone who writes for newsthump would imitate an EDL supporter.
Clearly typed up on word so the person has either made deliberate spelling mistakes to remind us brexiteers are stupid, or taken at face value they've got so hot under the collar about foreigners that they didn't have time to right click and correct the spelling mistakes, but did have time to print it off, cut out the section of paper, find the person's address, properly label the address, get a first class stamp and stick it in the post. Also a bit of a random time to make the Brexit point.

If it is real then obviously we should track the person who did it and prosecute them, but I'd bet good money it's fake.

Tweet has been deleted, maybe you're onto something...

[tabascoboy]

Think there was previously a maximum quota for Australian meat in the EU.

I don't get the UK government strategy on this. The British climate isn't great for many types of agriculture but we can be relatively self-sufficient in beef and lamb. It will be very difficult for British farmers to compete with ranch-style production, however, without some fairly significant changes to the landscape and the number/size of farms.

Pretty sure that any deal with the USA is going to require tariff free meat imports and that would put our domestic suppliers under even more strain since we know they see us as a lucrative market for pork (we import £1.8bn worth with the US Share only £2.2m of that) and there's a huge lobby behind it.

Are we really so desperate for trade deals now that our glorious leaders are totally unable or unwilling to protect our own food suppliers at all? We really should be looking to greater self sufficiency and helping our own food producers - not simply opening up the market here ever more for cheaper imports. At this rate the UK will only be able to supply premium meat products for those not willing to accept a lowering of food standards while we seriously drop our own for imported in favour of cheapness. Not too mention drastically increasing "food miles" because importing from the EU is now something akin to treason it seems...

[SaintK]

Tariffs axed immediately on Australian beef and lamb, triggering fears that farmers will be sent ‘to the wall’
Small print – revealed by Canberra, but suppressed in London – reveals pledge to protect farmers for 15 years has been dropped


https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p ... F_CfqZHj0U

...and that stupid woman Truss, stood up in the House today boasting what a fantastic deal it was for us and British farmers and attacking anyone who didn't think it was. Basically lied through her teeth at the dispatch box, just like the PM!!!

[Hal Jordan]

Tariffs axed immediately on Australian beef and lamb, triggering fears that farmers will be sent ‘to the wall’
Small print – revealed by Canberra, but suppressed in London – reveals pledge to protect farmers for 15 years has been dropped


https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p ... F_CfqZHj0U

...and that stupid woman Truss, stood up in the House today boasting what a fantastic deal it was for us and British farmers and attacking anyone who didn't think it was. Basically lied through her teeth at the dispatch box, just like the PM!!!

Or is entirely possible she thinks it is a good deal. I doubt she's top of the class when it comes to the complexities of international trade.

[GogLais]

If that's the typical predicted saving then we're not going to be importing much meat are we? Or am I misunderstanding something? I do worry about my distant farming relatives in Gwynedd though. They can't switch to soya beans or whatever on those hills.

[fishfoodie]

Are we really so desperate for trade deals now that our glorious leaders are totally unable or unwilling to protect our own food suppliers at all? We really should be looking to greater self sufficiency and helping our own food producers - not simply opening up the market here ever more for cheaper imports. At this rate the UK will only be able to supply premium meat products for those not willing to accept a lowering of food standards while we seriously drop our own for imported in favour of cheapness. Not too mention drastically increasing "food miles" because importing from the EU is now something akin to treason it seems...

Luckily for the UK; the Suez canal goes thru a very politically stable part of the world; & no-one can remember the last time there was any disruption to traffic thru it

[fishfoodie]

Tariffs axed immediately on Australian beef and lamb, triggering fears that farmers will be sent ‘to the wall’
Small print – revealed by Canberra, but suppressed in London – reveals pledge to protect farmers for 15 years has been dropped


https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p ... F_CfqZHj0U

Can't say I've ever seen Australian sourced meats in the supermarkets here, NZ of course we import shedloads of lamb. If we suddenly start seeing Aussie sourced meats appearing on the shelves not sure our farmers are going to let that slide.

You haven't seen it; because it hasn't been there, in trays, as individual cuts of meat, in the supermarket. But where it probably does end up, is in processed food. So it's going to end up in ready meals, & school meals, & coming out of the kitchens in institutions, & staff canteens !

[Paddington Bear]

If that's the typical predicted saving then we're not going to be importing much meat are we? Or am I misunderstanding something? I do worry about my distant farming relatives in Gwynedd though. They can't switch to soya beans or whatever on those hills.

There's a horseshoe effect here - the only people who think it's a particular triumph or disaster are either hardcore leavers or remainers. I very much doubt Aussie suppliers could absolutely swamp our supermarkets even if they wanted to, and I very much doubt this will create vast wealth for the country either.

[fishfoodie]

If that's the typical predicted saving then we're not going to be importing much meat are we? Or am I misunderstanding something? I do worry about my distant farming relatives in Gwynedd though. They can't switch to soya beans or whatever on those hills.

There's a horseshoe effect here - the only people who think it's a particular triumph or disaster are either hardcore leavers or remainers. I very much doubt Aussie suppliers could absolutely swamp our supermarkets even if they wanted to, and I very much doubt this will create vast wealth for the country either.

And in & of itself; you may be right; trade from Australian might not, single handedly destroy British Agriculture ... but .. the bar has now been set; when the UK comes knocking on the door of the Brazilian Government, will it expect them to accept a more restrictive deal ?

This deal allows access, for beef, from a country that uses hormones in cattle; & also allows chlorine washed chicken; & UK couldn't even sustain the controls they promised their own farmers in the end; because the Ozzies knew the Bumblecunt was desperate to have his deal.

[dpedin]

If that's the typical predicted saving then we're not going to be importing much meat are we? Or am I misunderstanding something? I do worry about my distant farming relatives in Gwynedd though. They can't switch to soya beans or whatever on those hills.

There's a horseshoe effect here - the only people who think it's a particular triumph or disaster are either hardcore leavers or remainers. I very much doubt Aussie suppliers could absolutely swamp our supermarkets even if they wanted to, and I very much doubt this will create vast wealth for the country either.

And in & of itself; you may be right; trade from Australian might not, single handedly destroy British Agriculture ... but .. the bar has now been set; when the UK comes knocking on the door of the Brazilian Government, will it expect them to accept a more restrictive deal ?

This deal allows access, for beef, from a country that uses hormones in cattle; & also allows chlorine washed chicken; & UK couldn't even sustain the controls they promised their own farmers in the end; because the Ozzies knew the Bumblecunt was desperate to have his deal.

Exactly - this sets a precedent for future trade deals. I seem to remember our Gov and Brexit Ultras shouting foul because the EU wouldn't give them the Canadian type deal they wanted as if it was their god given right to get a similar deal. I think the EU's argument was that the geography was the difference and why a different deal had to be offered. It will be interesting to see what line our Gov takes, and if it adopts the EU approach now it is on the opposite side of the argument, albeit with a far, far weaker negotiating position than the EU had when negotiating Brexit?

[fishfoodie]

There's a horseshoe effect here - the only people who think it's a particular triumph or disaster are either hardcore leavers or remainers. I very much doubt Aussie suppliers could absolutely swamp our supermarkets even if they wanted to, and I very much doubt this will create vast wealth for the country either.

And in & of itself; you may be right; trade from Australian might not, single handedly destroy British Agriculture ... but .. the bar has now been set; when the UK comes knocking on the door of the Brazilian Government, will it expect them to accept a more restrictive deal ?

This deal allows access, for beef, from a country that uses hormones in cattle; & also allows chlorine washed chicken; & UK couldn't even sustain the controls they promised their own farmers in the end; because the Ozzies knew the Bumblecunt was desperate to have his deal.

Exactly - this sets a precedent for future trade deals. I seem to remember our Gov and Brexit Ultras shouting foul because the EU wouldn't give them the Canadian type deal they wanted as if it was their god given right to get a similar deal. I think the EU's argument was that the geography was the difference and why a different deal had to be offered. It will be interesting to see what line our Gov takes, and if it adopts the EU approach now it is on the opposite side of the argument, albeit with a far, far weaker negotiating position than the EU had when negotiating Brexit?

it also makes anyone who already has a deal with you, take a good look at that deal, & start looking for similar terms. If the Oz deal doesn't kill Welsh sheep farming; I'd say the incoming New Zealand one will put them all on the dole.

[Paddington Bear]

There's always a fallback if the Brazilian government digs it's heels in on agriculture though - walk away from the deal. We don't have to say yes and we don't lack leverage ourselves.

Interestingly throwing ourselves open to cheaper and more efficient agriculture is a reversal to a pre-war status quo, funny how things work out.

[Insane_Homer]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57518910

UK food and drink exports to the EU almost halve in first quarter

[SaintK]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57518910

UK food and drink exports to the EU almost halve in first quarter

Not a problem.
The price worth paying for our sovereignty!!!

[I like neeps]

On food as a vegetarian I have no issue with this.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57512243

1 billion chickens slaughtered per year for consumption in the UK is mindboggling. The main reason I became vegetarian was I dated a vet and the horror stories of abbetoirs put me off meat totally. I can imagine finding people on minimum wage to kill hundreds if not thousands of animals per day will be quite a challenge.

[Insane_Homer]

On food as a vegetarian I have no issue with this.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57512243

1 billion chickens slaughtered per year for consumption in the UK is mindboggling. The main reason I became vegetarian was I dated a vet and the horror stories of abbetoirs put me off meat totally. I can imagine finding people on minimum wage to kill hundreds if not thousands of animals per day will be quite a challenge.

Do you not worry about the the veggies, crops and cereals you eat too? Do you ethically source your veggie products? Like soy?

Spiders, field mice, birds, snakes that are sacrificed and slaughter to bring you your veggie burger, do they count even when they're not on your plate?

Each area of grain production in Australia has a mouse plague on average every four years, with 500-1000 mice per hectare. Poisoning kills at least 80% of the mice.

At least 100 mice are killed per hectare per year (500/4 × 0.8) to grow grain. Average yields are about 1.4 tonnes of wheat/hectare; 13% of the wheat is useable protein. Therefore, at least 55 sentient animals die to produce 100kg of useable plant protein: 25 times more than for the same amount of rangelands beef.

[fishfoodie]

At least the mouse guts adds some flavour

[I like neeps]

On food as a vegetarian I have no issue with this.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57512243

1 billion chickens slaughtered per year for consumption in the UK is mindboggling. The main reason I became vegetarian was I dated a vet and the horror stories of abbetoirs put me off meat totally. I can imagine finding people on minimum wage to kill hundreds if not thousands of animals per day will be quite a challenge.

Do you not worry about the the veggies, crops and cereals you eat too? Do you ethically source your veggie products? Like soy?

Spiders, field mice, birds, snakes that are sacrificed and slaughter to bring you your veggie burger, do they count even when they're not on your plate?

Each area of grain production in Australia has a mouse plague on average every four years, with 500-1000 mice per hectare. Poisoning kills at least 80% of the mice.

At least 100 mice are killed per hectare per year (500/4 × 0.8) to grow grain. Average yields are about 1.4 tonnes of wheat/hectare; 13% of the wheat is useable protein. Therefore, at least 55 sentient animals die to produce 100kg of useable plant protein: 25 times more than for the same amount of rangelands beef.

Happily about as far as possible I do source my food. And that study was debunked anyway, the guy who ran it was a paelentogolist (wrong area of science anyway) funded by the meat lobby (as we can see in the UK Australia's is politically powerful and very rich) and turns out over 50% of wheat in Australia is used on cow and chicken feed. The funny thing is people think cows
spend their live eating grass and don't spend the last few months being given all sorts on a feedlot. No sir that does not happen .

I guess you'll be handing your CV into the abettoir anyday now? Lots of work to be had!