“BREXIT BRIEF” – ISSUE 4, 2nd March 2018

Bordering on the ridiculous

It has been a big week for Brexit dominated by big speeches, big egos and a big border question.  (I hope I’m not bigging it up too much before you read on).

The border I refer to is between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic which, after Brexit, will become the only land border separating the United Kingdom from the European Union.  This was always going to be a major bone of contention, despite a uniform belief – held by Brussels, the British Government, the Irish Government and leaders across the political divide in Northern Ireland – that a physical or “hard” border should be avoided.

However, despite a succession of assurances from UK ministers and Brexiteers that a technological solution is possible, thereby avoiding manual checks of vehicles and personnel crossing from one jurisdiction into another, no such fix has been presented.

In its absence, on Wednesday the EU published a “draft settlement agreement” which said that Northern Ireland must remain in the customs union to stop a hard border being imposed, and a new border should instead be placed in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and the island of Ireland.     

This prompted former Conservative Prime Minister John Major to say in a big speech that such a move could put the Irish peace process at risk. His successor, Tony Blair, also gave a big speech this week and has issued similar warnings in the past. Feeling left out, Labour Leader Jeremy Corby made a big speech and said the same (plus some other important stuff that I’ll tell you about another time). 

In her “really” big speech due later today (only serving prime ministers give “really” big speeches), Theresa May is expected to refute the EU’s position on the border (whilst setting out five meaningless "tests" for a future UK-EU Brexit deal which I’ll not bore you with now and hopefully ever). 

Remember that Mrs May’s Government is kept in power only with the support of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, which is totally opposed to the concept of a hard border. 

Linked to the negotiations, I should mention that the Home Office issued a policy paper on Wednesday evening which states that EU migrants who come to the UK during the two-year transition will have the right to settle here permanently. It also makes clear that EU migrants who arrive after March 2019 (when the UK leaves the EU and the “transition” period begins) will be given a five-year temporary residence permit, not the two-year permit that was previously proposed by ministers, and will be eligible for indefinite leave to remain

This is unquestionably a helpful development that will assist major employers such as Eville & Jones which heavily and happily rely on talented, well-qualified professionals from other EU member states to provide high-quality services for their clients and positively benefit the UK economy.

George gets passionate

Monday saw MPs debate the export of live farm animals after the UK leaves the EU.  Speaking for the Government, George Eustace - the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food – described himself as “passionate about high standards of animal welfare.”  

He said that he and his colleagues “go to great lengths to try to reduce the stress on animals in slaughterhouses and lairage facilities.”  The Minister added: “I also point out that in all our abattoirs, we have a full-time official veterinarian working for the Food Standards Agency, who is there to enforce and maintain animal welfare standards.” 

In a week when Environment Secretary Michael Gove formally presented new legislation to make CCTV cameras mandatory in slaughterhouses in England and announced details of a Government consultation exercise that includes possible financial rewards for farmers who promote better animal welfare standards, the role of vets in a post-Brexit Britain is becoming ever-more pronounced. 

That must inevitably mean more vets on farms and many others being employed as a full-time presence in abattoirs. Increased veterinary food regulation is the essential path to protecting consumers and ensuring that the UK is seen long into the future as Europe’s leading food producer – despite no longer being a member of the EU.

Meanwhile in America…

The on-going gun debate dominated the week Stateside, with Donald Trump changing his “really strong” views just about every mealtime (which usually involves a Big Mac). 

However, one subject that united gun supporters and opponents behind grinning fingers was their response to the President’s claim on what he would have done if he had been close to the scene of last Wednesday’s horrific Florida school shooting.

“I really believe I'd run in there, even if I didn't have a weapon,” said the leader of the free world. Whilst he might believe it, no one else does. This could have something to do with the fact that a young Trump dodged the US military draft five times to avoid being sent to Vietnam. His excuse? Bone spurs in his heels which made his feet hurt. Poor little soldier.  

Enjoy your weekend.

Jason

Jason Aldiss BEM

Managing Director