Alan H wrote:Nick wrote:Alan H wrote:No, Nick. No I didn't.
Well, what did you imply, then?
Good grief. Yes, we have customs points at Dover, but they don't currently process goods coming from other parts of the EU. After Brexit, all goods coming from the EU will need to be checked and appropriate tariffs paid - that will certainly take more capacity than currently available.
Heavens! It takes a lot to get you to cough up your point!
Whether or not we insist on "processing" goods from the EU will be up to us, won't it? If we choose to accept goods from the EU, then fine, why not? Just as we do from Switzerland and Norway. We manage it with other countries through TIR. As for tariffs, it is the EU which is threatening tariffs, just to frighten us, not the UK, the pioneers of free trade (though we've had our bad times too).
{...}
We don't know what stupidity the EU will insist on, do we?
Stupidity of the EU? How about the WTO tariffs of 30% to 40% on meat and dairy produce that might be necessary?[/quote]Why would they be "necessary", Alan? The UK would be happy to continue tariff-free trade with the EU. The EU is notorious for forcing up the price of meat and dairy products under CAP and imposing outrageous, job-destroying tariffs on emerging markets , 77% on cane sugar, for example, 25% (IIRC) on processed coffee, and many many others. If they want to impose them on our exports, it just shows how nasty and vindictive the EU is. And you want to support such an organisation?
But let's get back to the bigger difficulty for the Tory Government and its three stooges Brexiteers: take the case of a farmer in NI who currently exports meat products to Ireland. Currently, because we're all part of the EU single market and customs union, this is tariff-free and paperwork-free. What will his/her position be after Brexit? How will both Governments ensure proper tariffs are paid?
The export of meat is "paperwork-free"?
It may not be on paper, but the admin goes down to individual cows! Glad you like free-trade in Ireland, Alan. What a pity the EU doesn't. But the Irish have a way of finding solutions; I don't see why they won't again. Their biggest problem is the EU stopping them.