https://www.theguardian.com/comment...zon-destruction-earth-brazilian-kayapo-people Shame most of the world doesn't think the same way
A good article that shows up how badly we treat the planet that sustains us all. The way of life and beliefs described are very different to those who inhabit our large towns and cities, but most thinking people now realise that you cannot take forever and put nothing back.
I read that £1 was being charged on the plastic beer mugs at the Test Match that was refunded when you returned them to the bar. It was noted that children were going around picking them up and making a lot of money, rather as finding balls on the golf course could add to your piggy bank.
This is really important. Incentivising the behaviours you want people to demonstrate is always effective.
When I come across the Channel from Dieppe, about 20% of the lorries are refrigerated ones. The first thing they do when on board the ferry is to plug into the electrical system to keep their refrigeration units running during the four hour crossing. As a practical issue, what happens if these lorries are stacked on a motorway for a couple of days? They will have to keep their engines running, or lose their cargo. Great stuff if you live in Kent.
The bosses of the European foodstuff will be screaming at The Macron boy to cut out the deliberate hold up nonsense.
If there are continued manufactured delays it will only encourage more food to be grown in the UK, Cologne will be happy with the reduced pollution is food is more local.
It would appear that it is not this side of the Channel that the problems will arise, but in Kent where stacking lorries will become the norm. How do you propose to safeguard the fresh meat and fish products coming in this direction?
If a side effect of Brexit was that Britain would become more self sufficient in foodstuffs then it could be a silver lining to the black cloud - however it is more likely to lead to an invasion of American gene manipulated junk and chlorinated chickens.
You are mistaken if you think European hauliers will not be effected, they will ensure pressure is put on the French government who always back down when faced with civil disobedience.
This has nothing to with the French government. It is all about infrastructure at Dover. It is not in place, and in fact the port is unable to provide it which is why stacking lorries on the Motorway or on a disused airport is being proposed. So we come back to the original question, how do you prevent lorries sitting there with their engines running, or see UK exports turning to waste?
Now we have a government that has purged ministers that were actively trying to sabotage Brexit it is clear it is determined to be ready for all eventualities including funny business by the French.
Given common sense on both sides of the channel and a willingness to ensure as near to normal service as possible, there is no reason why there should be major hold ups. Hauliers using freight forwarders and a trusted trader scheme prevents the need to manually check each vehicle. The EU actually want as much disruption as possible for political reasons to dissuade other member states wanting freedom.
You cannot have near to normal service as you have voted to become a third country. This involves checking lorries. So it is how prepared the UK is to cope with delays caused by the checks, and it clearly isn't. You have said you are not worried about a deal which could result in every lorry being checked. Yesterday the French tried out their new €40m IT system, and checked two lorries picked at random. It took all day.
I thought you had more experience than coming out with the above. I’m not surprised the French are making a meal of a new system, purely political. I used to import up to 8 x 40ft containers from the Far East per month plus many air freight shipments. Most, if not all, were not searched after the initial trading period. Once a pattern was established with customs through our freight forwarders with all paperwork transferred in advance, no spot checks were considered necessary. An account was held with the FF’s for the import duties and VAT, it worked like clockwork. I repeat, given common sense and a desire to make things work there is no reason for delays.
Sorry, you are not comparing like with like. Sealed containers, and multi-drop lorries that can cross the Channel five times a week are not the same thing.
It is the same principle with trusted traders. It was easy 18 years ago, I’m sure there is workable technology available. The problem is the EU, and particularly the French, do not want a workable example in case it encourages other trapped member states to leave. The French and Spanish often use customs for political means, they will try this until their own people start squealing about lost business.
18 years ago! Modern logistic systems are nothing like that now. Multi-customer pick ups, going to distribution centres, then crossing the borders, going to another distribution centre, then on to the customer. Yes there is technology available to check on the bar codes on the goods to confirm that they agree with the bar codes on the paperwork. Then there is the different rates of tax on different items, all which might be in one lorry. Your container on a ship is nothing like a mixed lorry full of totally different items. So of course lorries will be checked, and you still cannot explain what is going to happen to the refrigerated lorries that will be backed up at Dover as we are told they will be by the government.
