Daniel Boffey in Brussels

Tue 11 Feb 2020 10.01 GMT

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/feb/11/ursula-von-der-leyen-mocks-boris-johnsons-stance-on-eu-trade-deal

Ursula von der Leyen mocks Boris Johnson's stance on EU trade deal

European commission chief picks out contradictions in UK

 

 

Ursula von der Leyen has mocked Boris Johnson’s claims to be willing to accept an Australian-style trade deal with the EU by reminding MEPs that no such agreement exists.

 

In a speech to the EU’s parliament in Strasbourg, the president of the European commission repeatedly named the prime minister as she picked out the contradictions in his approach to the post-Brexit arrangements.

 

Von der Leyen noted that the “Canada-style deal” referred to by Johnson as his primary goal in the coming negotiations contained tariffs and quota limits on some goods crossing the Atlantic.

Daniel Boffey in Brussels

Tue 11 Feb 2020 10.01 GMT

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/feb/11/barnier-tells-uk-dont-kid-yourself-about-financial-services-deal

Barnier tells UK: don't kid yourself about financial services deal 

EU chief Brexit negotiator scotches hopes of special deal for City of London
Michel Barnier has warned Sajid Javid and Boris Johnson that “they should not kid themselves” that Brussels will give a special deal to the City of London after a photograph emerged of the UK’s opening negotiating position on the new post-Brexit arrangements.

36 minutes ago, Nigel Garvie said:

I love the stupidity on stilts bit, if I was younger I would try to remember it. I did hear that the UN have given UK the Global National Darwin award, for committing economic suicide by the most idiotic means possible. Other countries may just be laughing at our success at removing ourselves from the gene pool!

...yet it won't stop you and your ilk yelling "I'm Brian and so is my wife!" if Boris needs to send evacuation flights here if the virus gets any worse ????

 

Have you ever had anything good to say about UK?

4 hours ago, Nigel Garvie said:

Err not exactly

 

Washing chicken in chlorine and other disinfectants to remove harmful bacteria was a practice banned by the European Union (EU) in 1997 over food safety concerns, the ban has stopped virtually all imports of US chicken meat which is generally treated by this process.

It's not consuming chlorine itself that the EU is worried about - in fact in 2005 the European Food Safety Authority said that "exposure to chlorite residues arising from treated poultry carcasses would be of no safety concern", but the EU believes that relying on a chlorine rinse at the end of the meat production process could be a way of compensating for poor hygiene standards - such as dirty or crowded abattoirs.

 

This is another way of saying it is not actually a safety precaution, but instead an attempt at protectionism to grant European farmers preferential treatment. If the concern were actually about safety, they wouldn't care about how the safety standards were met. If a chlorine rinse can remove the bacteria to the point where it is undetectable, and there is no danger from the chlorine, then there is qualitatively no difference between the 2 birds.

 

If this were a safety issue, rather than banning a process (like chlorinating), they would specify standards that needed to be met and allow farmers to find the optimal way to achieve them.  But fairness and competition has never been what the EU is about. They are much more concerned about the platonic ideals, placing themselves in the role of philosopher kings who alone have the wisdom to decide what is good for everyone.

 

If this were actually about "food safety concerns" then the EU could identify the specific safety concerns that need to be tested for in order to import, and not simply place a blanket ban a process that renders the chickens just as safe as their own, but cheaper.

 

1 hour ago, cleopatra2 said:

The full border checks announcement is project fear from the government.

At present the UK neither have the infrastructure or logistics to carry out such a regime and is unlikely to be in place In time.

The IT system that is supposed to streamline the customs and export paperwork is not due until 2025.

 

This announcement is a pre cursor to allow a request for extension to the transition by the government in June July. The excuse being business and ports are not ready .

Agree with that but IMO the government's motive is to leave the EU with no deal. It's always been Johnson's objective, he failed in October because he didn't have a parliamentary majority. Now he's swept away the objectors in his own party and has a massive parliamentary majority (thanks for that, Lansman Corbyn) the way is clear for him to take us out with no deal and for his backers to fill their boots when the economy crashes.

 

 

13 minutes ago, Monomial said:

This is another way of saying it is not actually a safety precaution, but instead an attempt at protectionism to grant European farmers preferential treatment.

Do you want to eat chlorinated chicken? I'm sure I don't.

 

Do you want to eat genetically modified grain? Not me, I really don't fancy rat genes in my breakfast bap.

1 hour ago, david555 said:

Ursula von der Leyen has mocked Boris Johnson’s claims to be willing to accept an Australian-style trade deal with the EU by reminding MEPs that no such agreement exists.

All of this clearly lost on the Boris fanboys who are fed and then obediently regurgitate his mythical lines.
 

When you are at the point where your trade goals are based in trading arrangements which don’t even exist, you know you are in trouble. 

1 hour ago, Monomial said:

 

This is another way of saying it is not actually a safety precaution, but instead an attempt at protectionism to grant European farmers preferential treatment. If the concern were actually about safety, they wouldn't care about how the safety standards were met. If a chlorine rinse can remove the bacteria to the point where it is undetectable, and there is no danger from the chlorine, then there is qualitatively no difference between the 2 birds.

 

If this were a safety issue, rather than banning a process (like chlorinating), they would specify standards that needed to be met and allow farmers to find the optimal way to achieve them.  But fairness and competition has never been what the EU is about. They are much more concerned about the platonic ideals, placing themselves in the role of philosopher kings who alone have the wisdom to decide what is good for everyone.

 

If this were actually about "food safety concerns" then the EU could identify the specific safety concerns that need to be tested for in order to import, and not simply place a blanket ban a process that renders the chickens just as safe as their own, but cheaper.

 

But, if we leave aside the question of the chlorine, how does the chicken meat taste?

" 'They spend 95 per cent of their time sitting on the litter, a mixture of pine shavings and faecal matter from that flock and prior flocks.'

He said 1,000 of the 30,000 chickens he raised every six weeks would die before they reached maturity. Many become infected on the underside of their chest because of contact with the litter."

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4742712/Why-chickens-washed-chlorine.html

 

" A regular chicken spends most of her life on the move. A factory farmed chicken often spends most of her life on the floor. Their fast-growth genetics puts significant strain on their heart, lungs, and immune systems, and can cause harmful leg deformity and injury. In addition to being harmful to the animals, the muscle disorders that cause constant pain for chickens when they’re alive also degrade the quality of their meat after slaughter. Known in the industry as “woody breast,” “deep pectoral myopathy,” and “white striping,”

Meat impacted by these disorders has less protein, and even more shockingly: it can have up to 224% more fat.

 

Ok but can anyone here see the picture other than the words.

37 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

Agree with that but IMO the government's motive is to leave the EU with no deal. It's always been Johnson's objective, he failed in October because he didn't have a parliamentary majority. Now he's swept away the objectors in his own party and has a massive parliamentary majority (thanks for that, Lansman Corbyn) the way is clear for him to take us out with no deal and for his backers to fill their boots when the economy crashes.

 

 

That's not true. Johnson was trying to get his version of the Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament in October. He failed to get his WA through. He didn't fail to get 'no-deal' through Parliament.  

 

Boris did want to keep the prospect of 'no-deal' on the table to help us push for a better WA. That's the bit that was prevented due to the lack of a parliamentary majority. 

 

A so called 'no-deal' Brexit was if the UK left the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement. 

9 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

That's not true. Johnson was trying to get his version of the Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament in October. He failed to get his WA through. He didn't fail to get 'no-deal' through Parliament.  

 

Boris did want to keep the prospect of 'no-deal' on the table to help us push for a better WA. That's the bit that was prevented due to the lack of a parliamentary majority. 

 

A so called 'no-deal' Brexit was if the UK left the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement. 

If you believe that you'll believe anything. Oh sorry, you do, that's why you voted leave. 555

11 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

It has been well documented the US wants access to the NHS in order for an Anglo American trade deal to be struck.

The UK government have said time and time again that the NHS is not up for grabs. It would be political suicide if they sacrificed the NHS. Trump has said he's not interested in the NHS.

 

Labour and the SNP have been quite clever in trying to brainwash the public on these matters. They continue to weaponise the NHS. Thankfully the majority of the public haven't fallen for it. You have either fallen for it too, or you're also weaponising it. 

15 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

That's not true. Johnson was trying to get his version of the Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament in October. He failed to get his WA through. He didn't fail to get 'no-deal' through Parliament.  

 

Boris did want to keep the prospect of 'no-deal' on the table to help us push for a better WA. That's the bit that was prevented due to the lack of a parliamentary majority. 

 

A so called 'no-deal' Brexit was if the UK left the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement. 

As I recall Johnson pulled his own deal because he did not want it scrutinised by parliament.

I also recall he illegally shut down parliament as well.

But you guys voted for him anyway.

2 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

The UK government have said time and time again that the NHS is not up for grabs. It would be political suicide if they sacrificed the NHS. Trump has said he's not interested in the NHS.

 

Labour and the SNP have been quite clever in trying to brainwash the public on these matters. They continue to weaponise the NHS. Thankfully the majority of the public haven't fallen for it. You have either fallen for it too, or you're also weaponising it. 

Erm.

You might want to read this.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50572502

1 hour ago, DannyCarlton said:

Do you want to eat chlorinated chicken? I'm sure I don't.

 

Do you want to eat genetically modified grain? Not me, I really don't fancy rat genes in my breakfast bap.

 This is a whole cooked canned chicken that is sold in US stores

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4742712/Why-chickens-washed-chlorine.html

 

1 minute ago, Rookiescot said:

Erm.

You might want to read this.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50572502

Err, you can't quote the BBC, leavers will just claim that it's an extreme left wing propaganda machine. Better to quote Robin Tilbrook, the English Democrats, Rebel Media and Tommy Islam.

10 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

21 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

That's not true. Johnson was trying to get his version of the Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament in October. He failed to get his WA through. He didn't fail to get 'no-deal' through Parliament.  

 

Boris did want to keep the prospect of 'no-deal' on the table to help us push for a better WA. That's the bit that was prevented due to the lack of a parliamentary majority. 

 

A so called 'no-deal' Brexit was if the UK left the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement. 

If you believe that you'll believe anything. Oh sorry, you do, that's why you voted leave. 555

I believe it because it's true. We avoided a no-deal Brexit.

 

Here's a link to help you.  I chose the Newsround version, partly out of nostalgia for the John Craven days, and partly to help those who are hard of learning: 

 

What is a no-deal Brexit?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/46607260

 

 

1 minute ago, CG1 Blue said:

I believe it because it's true. We avoided a no-deal Brexit.

 

Here's a link to help you.  I chose the Newsround version, partly out of nostalgia for the John Craven days, and partly to help those who are hard of learning: 

 

What is a no-deal Brexit?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/46607260

 

 

So what deal do we have?

10 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

As I recall Johnson pulled his own deal because he did not want it scrutinised by parliament.

I also recall he illegally shut down parliament as well.

But you guys voted for him anyway.

The prorogation of parliament was judged to be unlawful, not illegal. It's important to get the facts right. 

And he called for the election because it was obvious the remainer parliament were intent on amending the the withdrawal agreement out of all recognition, and potentially keeping us in the EU indefinitely. 

2 hours ago, david555 said:

 

Daniel Boffey in Brussels

Tue 11 Feb 2020 10.01 GMT

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/feb/11/ursula-von-der-leyen-mocks-boris-johnsons-stance-on-eu-trade-deal

Ursula von der Leyen mocks Boris Johnson's stance on EU trade deal

European commission chief picks out contradictions in UK

 

 

Ursula von der Leyen has mocked Boris Johnson’s claims to be willing to accept an Australian-style trade deal with the EU by reminding MEPs that no such agreement exists.

 

In a speech to the EU’s parliament in Strasbourg, the president of the European commission repeatedly named the prime minister as she picked out the contradictions in his approach to the post-Brexit arrangements.

 

Von der Leyen noted that the “Canada-style deal” referred to by Johnson as his primary goal in the coming negotiations contained tariffs and quota limits on some goods crossing the Atlantic.

big deal

2 hours ago, david555 said:

Daniel Boffey in Brussels

Tue 11 Feb 2020 10.01 GMT

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/feb/11/barnier-tells-uk-dont-kid-yourself-about-financial-services-deal

Barnier tells UK: don't kid yourself about financial services deal 

EU chief Brexit negotiator scotches hopes of special deal for City of London
Michel Barnier has warned Sajid Javid and Boris Johnson that “they should not kid themselves” that Brussels will give a special deal to the City of London after a photograph emerged of the UK’s opening negotiating position on the new post-Brexit arrangements.

blah blah

17 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

Erm.

You might want to read this.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50572502

US negotiators had concerns over drug pricing policy in the UK. And? That is not proof that the NHS is up for grabs. 

Just now, CG1 Blue said:

US negotiators had concerns over drug pricing policy in the UK. And? That is not proof that the NHS is up for grabs. 

No, of course it isn't Malcom. 555

13 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

So what deal do we have?

Read the withdrawal agreement

4 hours ago, evadgib said:

...yet it won't stop you and your ilk yelling "I'm Brian and so is my wife!" if Boris needs to send evacuation flights here if the virus gets any worse ????

 

Have you ever had anything good to say about UK?

Is that a Monty Python quote from "The Wife of Brian"?

 

There are masses of things about the UK and it's member countries individually, that I admire, and in many cases am proud of. Our sense of humour, our ability to laugh at ourselves (Fast disappearing), our engineering achievements (Mainly in the past), our medical research, our literature and theatre. We gave the world Shakespere, Newton, Darwin, Maxwell, Dylan Thomas and so many more. Of particular joy to me is that we are the home of Rock and Roll, the Beatles, Stones, Who, etc etc. Our folk and traditional music is the finest in the world in my biased opinion. 

 

The tragedy is that Brexit has made us become narrow, small minded, insular, greedy, self centered, and unwelcoming to outsiders. This is partly the result of a 3 year campaign by the Daily Mail which encouraged the gullible in our society to hate Immigrants, and blame them for all our problems.

 

Once we were famous for being open, broad minded, fair, outward looking, generous, and welcoming to others. People were keen to work with us, now sadly it seems many would rather work without us.

Jesus wept.

6 hours ago, nauseus said:

 

Sub thread was quotas until some spark brought up rights to confuse.

Up to you.

6 hours ago, CG1 Blue said:

Read the withdrawal agreement

The withdrawal agreement is not a trade deal.

51 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

The withdrawal agreement is not a trade deal.

No...

E.U. made it very clear that no trade would be included in WA ....how much even the U.K Tried to include that

E.U refused that all the way.....

 

 

7 hours ago, CG1 Blue said:

The prorogation of parliament was judged to be unlawful, not illegal. It's important to get the facts right. 

And he called for the election because it was obvious the remainer parliament were intent on amending the the withdrawal agreement out of all recognition, and potentially keeping us in the EU indefinitely. 

Unlawful. Illegal. It matters not. Fact is he lied to the Queen. Pretty sure there will be a law somewhere which says lying to the Head of State is illegal.

How many times did Johnson vote against the bill May had come to with the EU? How many times did him and his mates try to make amendments to it? The problem with Mays deal was it was not hardcore enough for him and his ERG pals. They want a hard Brexit.

Which is fine because thats what you all voted for.

11 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

The withdrawal agreement is not a trade deal.

Correct.  But 'crashing out with no deal' was referring to leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.