Take These (Supply) Chains from My Heart

[Jdsk]

Many people managing the supply chains and depending on them to work are saying the opposite: that we're not ready for 30 April. The Cold Chain Federation are a typical example, as cited upthread

I don't think that what I said is the opposite.
The Government isn't grasping their role in addressing concerns and making necessary decisions
To compound that they aren't putting the right people in place at the right time

Thanks

Can we agree that it's the Government's responsibility and that sensible voices from industry are very concerned about the April deadline and the effects of not being ready?

Jonathan

[PDQ Mobile]

Shane Brennan, (2023) Chief Executive of the Cold Chain Federation looked at this twelve months ago
(Snip)

"There is always opportunity in adversity. This may be the point at which post-Brexit realignments in how we source our food will fully play out. For some the hope will be greater reliance on domestic production, others will see a rebalancing of our import trade away from the EU suppliers to other places in the world. Whether the result is good or bad for the UK economy, our climate goals, or UK consumers, remains to be seen.
This is perhaps the last Brexit-transition sticking plaster that we have to rip off, but don’t believe them when they tell you it’s not going to hurt."
https://ukandeu.ac.uk/what-do-the-new-b ... od-supply/

"...ALWAYS opportunity in adversity".
Well I am not sure about that.

And opportunity for who, is the logical second question?

Then this other tosh about whether it will be better for climate goals to ship food even further, obviously it's neither good for the climate or for the freshness of food.

There is a tunnel which can bring food by carbon neutral train from the EU.
And shorter distances by other methods

We (general population) are poorer because of Brexit.
It's not going to get any better (see Budget!) even into the medium term.

Throw in substantial loss of freedoms and I struggle to see any benefits whatsoever.

[tim-b]

It's not going to get any better (see Budget!) even into the medium term.

Brexit was voted for and none of us can change that. I don't see a UK government changing that in the near future.

I do see an opportunity for food suppliers, farmers, etc in the UK, but they'll need a government with vision and we haven't had one of those for decades.

I think that it's time to accept that and "don’t believe them when they tell you it’s not going to hurt."

[Jdsk]

Many people managing the supply chains and depending on them to work are saying the opposite: that we're not ready for 30 April. The Cold Chain Federation are a typical example, as cited upthread

I don't think that what I said is the opposite.
The Government isn't grasping their role in addressing concerns and making necessary decisions
To compound that they aren't putting the right people in place at the right time

Can we agree that it's the Government's responsibility and that sensible voices from industry are very concerned about the April deadline and the effects of not being ready?

"UK not ready for new post-Brexit border controls, warn importers":
https://www.ft.com/content/154a187a-4b3 ... 4c9a0a157b
https://twitter.com/DavidHenigUK/status ... 9674390015
Harwich port and three trade associations

"Without answers and clarity and without any of these processes being able to be properly tested in April, it is unacceptable and irresponsible to proceed as the government intends."

Jonathan

[al_yrpal]

As a Protectionist Bloc, the EU was well prepared to slam up another trade wall with little preparation. The UK was simply unprepared for it because Brexit was a nasty shock for the establishment. It has been the wurst thing ever.

Al

[roubaixtuesday]

As a Protectionist Bloc, the EU was well prepared to slam up another trade wall with little preparation. The UK was simply unprepared for it because Brexit was a nasty shock for the establishment. It has been the wurst thing ever.

Al

You are aware that these controls are set by the British government, not the EU?

Also that you have previously said you're in favour of them because of poor food hygiene abroad?

[al_yrpal]

Yes, fully aware. Like any other country we do need to be careful about food imports. There is the question of animal cruelty too.

Al

[roubaixtuesday]

Yes, fully aware. Like any other country we do need to be careful about food imports. There is the question of animal cruelty too.

Al

So, import controls by the EU are "protectionist" but import controls by the UK are "careful".

Got it.

[al_yrpal]

Why firms are bringing their manufacturing back home - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68500499

Not exactly on topic but interesting phenominum...

Al

[Carlton green]

Why firms are bringing their manufacturing back home - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68500499

Not exactly on topic but interesting phenominum...

Al

Yes, I read the BBC article too and thought it an interesting trend. To my mind the trend of bringing back manufacturing to this country, and to friendly countries nearer the UK, is a positive one. We’ll have to see what the future brings but a UK that’s more self sufficient would, I think, be an improvement.

[Jdsk]

Why firms are bringing their manufacturing back home - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68500499

Not exactly on topic but interesting phenominum...

Thanks for posting. I think that it's well on-topic.

Novy is an excellent expert and explainer. Here's his recent evidence to the London Assembly:
"Politicians need to start “the hard grind” of tackling the problems Brexit has created for UK businesses, Professor Novy tells the London Assembly":
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics ... _assembly/
https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/lond ... 0FINAL.pdf

Jonathan

[tim-b]

There have been concerns since 2020 about the EUs supply of the Pfizer COVID vaccine and a huge increase in the number of doses and the reported 25% increase in price per dose.
"The public continues to be denied information about the terms of one of the biggest procurement contracts in the history of the EU”
The outcome of a lawsuit against the European Commission to obtain text messages should be known soon

https://www.politico.eu/article/5-thing ... urt-cases/

[PDQ Mobile]

[. He is in the middle of TB testing and it's a worrying time.
B

TB appears to be rife in Wales getting worse year after year and nothing effective has been done in all these years.
Here in Scotland we achieved Bovine TB free status in 2009. Whether it’s still the case I’m not sure. It’ll be a miracle as there are so many farmers doing dodgy ( ear tags swapped) movements. We’ve also more badgers than I’ve ever witnessed in my life before. I was 22 before I saw my first badger now I could see one every 22hours not years!

I’m a stones throw away from Carrifran Wildwood https://bordersforesttrust.org/wild-heart you’ll love what they are doing. All sheep off and controversially the wild goats too. Galla and Gameshope are mentioned in that link. I’ve gathered those places around 40 years ago and know how bleak they were. I can see a huge change in them in just a few years.

"Your" woods, and more, made it to the national Press.
It's right up my crag!

Still haven't seen my neighbour for long enough to quiz him but I will never fear.
Anyway though it might interest.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... rn-uplands

[Jdsk]

"Portsmouth's new Brexit border post could be demolished":
https://news.sky.com/story/portsmouths- ... d-13099358

Jonathan

[Jdsk]

... and thus our food hygene people have to be very careful what is imported too.

"Defra confirms funding withdrawal for Dover illegal meat checks":
https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/eu-referendu ... s-at-dover

Defra Secretary Steve Barclay was asked to explain the Department's stance on funding checks for illegal meat imports when he appeared in front of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on Tuesday.
Prior to the meeting, EFRA published a damning letter to it from Lucy Manzano, head of Dover port health & public protection, which suggested Defra had misled the committee of MPs in its response in February to questions on illegal meat import checks at the port and the decision to move legal customs checks to a new inland site from April.
https://www.npa-uk.org.uk/Barclay_quest ... hecks.html
https://committees.parliament.uk/commit ... committee/

Jonathan