|
BREXIT
Jun 23, 2020 15:22:44 GMT
Post by Lobster on Jun 23, 2020 15:22:44 GMT
Were we really "ruled by Brussels" though? Just seems to me like every EU country has its own rules, but there are just some standards and trading agreements all members have to abide with. Now let me see Bananas cannot be too bendyIn a widely ridiculed ruling, Brussels bosses banned rogue bananas with “malformations and abnormal curvature”. In 2009, the European Union introduced strict restrictions on the quality of bananas and other fruits sold within the EU. Under the regulations, the fruit should be “free from malformation or abnormal curvature of the fingers”. The EU then classify bananas into three sections, with premium “extra” class bananas having to be “free from defects”. Illegal to make Stilton in the village of StiltonThe small Cambridgeshire town named after the famous blue-veined cheese for being the first place to sell it is banned from producing Stilton under EU law. The European law was put in place after officials ruled the cheese originated in another part of England. The renowned blue cheese can only be produced in Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire after makers of Stilton applied for Protected Geographical Status in 1996. Ever since production of the cheese has been limited to these counties. In 2013, The Original Cheese Company sought to have the EU ruling amended to allow the village of Stilton to make the cheese but the application was rejected. Water does not hydrate youIn 2011 the EU banned drink manufactures from claiming that water can prevent dehydration. EU officials concluded that, following a three-year investigation, there was no evidence to prove drinking water prevents dehydration. Producers of bottled water are forbidden by law from making the claim and will face a two-year jail sentence if they defy the edict. The move was criticised as being both at odds with science and common sense. The NHS, which says dehydration occurs “when your body loses more fluid than you take in”, advises drinking fluids to help ward off dehydration. Tampon taxCurrently, all sanitary protection in the UK is charged a VAT of five percent, the lowest rate permissible under EU VAT rules. The Government has indicated willingness to scrap the controversial tampon tax, but existing EU laws prevent member countries from introducing a zero percent rate on products. Britain will be free to scrap the tax, which treats sanitary products as a luxury non-essentials item, from January 1, 2021 - the end of the transition period. It should be implemented fairly quickly, as David Cameron’s Government included a provision in the 2016 Finance Bill to allow for sanitary protection to be zero-rated, once the UK had discretion to do this. The European Commission did agree to abolish the tax in 2018 after extensive lobbying from the UK, but it will not come into effect until January 2022. Strict fishing quotasThe Common Fisheries Policy sets annual fishing quotas on each type of fish and mandated that if fish of the wrong species were caught accidentally, they had to be thrown overboard. As a result, thousands of dead fish ended up being chucked back into the sea as fishermen attempt to reach the right quotas of the required species. This practice was heavily condemned as tonnes of dead fish were being discarded. In 2019 the EU outlawed the controversial practice and obliged skippers to land unwanted fish. Halogen light bulbs bannedThe EU banned member states from selling halogen light bulbs, replacing them with LEDs. The final stage of the EU energy regulations was put in place in September 2018. LED lights are more efficient and require significantly less power to operate but are more expensive than its predecessor. Earlier versions of LEDs were criticised for being slow to light up, but newer versions of the light bulb instantly light up. But since the halogen ban was introduced, scientific studies have found LED lights can permanently damage eyesight and disturb natural sleep rhythms. Last year the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety warned the “blue light” emitted from LEDs can lead to “irreversible loss of retinal cells and diminished sharpness of vision”. Inches and pounds banned as measurementsIn 2010 the EU banned the use of imperial measurements (feet, inches, pounds etc) and instead only allowed the use of metric units (metres, kilograms). As a result goods sold loose by weight were required to be sold in grams and kilograms. Traders are allowed to display weights and prices in both imperial and metric but not in imperial only. A lot of these are British tabloid stories that are at best misreported, at worst completely made up.
Lots of myths debunked or disputed, including most of the ones you mention, as well as other classics like the Euro-condom and the Queen's corgis being "banned".
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 23, 2020 15:30:46 GMT
Post by Wortleyblue on Jun 23, 2020 15:30:46 GMT
Lovely bit of cut and paste. Thank you
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 23, 2020 15:39:29 GMT
Post by Wortleyblue on Jun 23, 2020 15:39:29 GMT
Now let me see Bananas cannot be too bendyIn a widely ridiculed ruling, Brussels bosses banned rogue bananas with “malformations and abnormal curvature”. In 2009, the European Union introduced strict restrictions on the quality of bananas and other fruits sold within the EU. Under the regulations, the fruit should be “free from malformation or abnormal curvature of the fingers”. The EU then classify bananas into three sections, with premium “extra” class bananas having to be “free from defects”. Illegal to make Stilton in the village of StiltonThe small Cambridgeshire town named after the famous blue-veined cheese for being the first place to sell it is banned from producing Stilton under EU law. The European law was put in place after officials ruled the cheese originated in another part of England. The renowned blue cheese can only be produced in Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire after makers of Stilton applied for Protected Geographical Status in 1996. Ever since production of the cheese has been limited to these counties. In 2013, The Original Cheese Company sought to have the EU ruling amended to allow the village of Stilton to make the cheese but the application was rejected. Water does not hydrate youIn 2011 the EU banned drink manufactures from claiming that water can prevent dehydration. EU officials concluded that, following a three-year investigation, there was no evidence to prove drinking water prevents dehydration. Producers of bottled water are forbidden by law from making the claim and will face a two-year jail sentence if they defy the edict. The move was criticised as being both at odds with science and common sense. The NHS, which says dehydration occurs “when your body loses more fluid than you take in”, advises drinking fluids to help ward off dehydration. Tampon taxCurrently, all sanitary protection in the UK is charged a VAT of five percent, the lowest rate permissible under EU VAT rules. The Government has indicated willingness to scrap the controversial tampon tax, but existing EU laws prevent member countries from introducing a zero percent rate on products. Britain will be free to scrap the tax, which treats sanitary products as a luxury non-essentials item, from January 1, 2021 - the end of the transition period. It should be implemented fairly quickly, as David Cameron’s Government included a provision in the 2016 Finance Bill to allow for sanitary protection to be zero-rated, once the UK had discretion to do this. The European Commission did agree to abolish the tax in 2018 after extensive lobbying from the UK, but it will not come into effect until January 2022. Strict fishing quotasThe Common Fisheries Policy sets annual fishing quotas on each type of fish and mandated that if fish of the wrong species were caught accidentally, they had to be thrown overboard. As a result, thousands of dead fish ended up being chucked back into the sea as fishermen attempt to reach the right quotas of the required species. This practice was heavily condemned as tonnes of dead fish were being discarded. In 2019 the EU outlawed the controversial practice and obliged skippers to land unwanted fish. Halogen light bulbs bannedThe EU banned member states from selling halogen light bulbs, replacing them with LEDs. The final stage of the EU energy regulations was put in place in September 2018. LED lights are more efficient and require significantly less power to operate but are more expensive than its predecessor. Earlier versions of LEDs were criticised for being slow to light up, but newer versions of the light bulb instantly light up. But since the halogen ban was introduced, scientific studies have found LED lights can permanently damage eyesight and disturb natural sleep rhythms. Last year the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety warned the “blue light” emitted from LEDs can lead to “irreversible loss of retinal cells and diminished sharpness of vision”. Inches and pounds banned as measurementsIn 2010 the EU banned the use of imperial measurements (feet, inches, pounds etc) and instead only allowed the use of metric units (metres, kilograms). As a result goods sold loose by weight were required to be sold in grams and kilograms. Traders are allowed to display weights and prices in both imperial and metric but not in imperial only. A lot of these are British tabloid stories that are at best misreported, at worst completely made up.
Lots of myths debunked or disputed, including most of the ones you mention, as well as other classics like the Euro-condom and the Queen's corgis being "banned".
Ah yes an article by the European Commission debunking or disputing myths about the European Community, Politicians at their best
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 23, 2020 15:40:13 GMT
Post by Wortleyblue on Jun 23, 2020 15:40:13 GMT
😂 straight in there with the bananas, as predicted. I never like to disappoint FOP
|
|
|
Post by Lobster on Jun 23, 2020 15:45:41 GMT
Since the banana story is always the go-to complaint, my understanding is the EU introduced standards in consultation with shops and the fruit industry because they wanted to make sure people fruit meets consumers' expectations. They want the fruit you see on display in shops and in greengrocers to be a certain size and shape, because let's be honest, if it were too small or not the shape we recognise, it wouldn't sell and would go to waste. I imagine "wonky" bananas that are small or oddly shaped get sent to manufacturers to be used in ways whether their appearance doesn't matter, such as in juice, flavourings, and that sort of thing.
Food standards are important, because they reduce waste and ensure we get quality items. Nobody is sitting in Brussels putting a spirit level against every banana and ensuring any that are a bit bendy don't cross the Channel.
But I don't know how anyone can feel strongly enough about this silly issue to justify jeopardising jobs, restricting freedom of movement and cutting our economic ties with Europe. I know everyone has their own reasons for wanting out and I don't love the EU myself, but come on, bananas? So what?
|
|
|
Post by Lobster on Jun 23, 2020 15:47:42 GMT
A lot of these are British tabloid stories that are at best misreported, at worst completely made up.
Lots of myths debunked or disputed, including most of the ones you mention, as well as other classics like the Euro-condom and the Queen's corgis being "banned".
Ah yes an article by the European Commission debunking or disputing myths about the European Community, Politicians at their best It's the other side of the story, the one rarely presented by the xenophobic British press. I'd just advise people to read both and make their own mind up rather than just believing what the Sun and Daily Mail say.
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 23, 2020 15:53:13 GMT
via mobile
Post by Ian H Block on Jun 23, 2020 15:53:13 GMT
Since the banana story is always the go-to complaint, my understanding is the EU introduced standards in consultation with shops and the fruit industry because they wanted to make sure people fruit meets consumers' expectations. They want the fruit you see on display in shops and in greengrocers to be a certain size and shape, because let's be honest, if it were too small or not the shape we recognise, it wouldn't sell and would go to waste. I imagine "wonky" bananas that are small or oddly shaped get sent to manufacturers to be used in ways whether their appearance doesn't matter, such as in juice, flavourings, and that sort of thing. Food standards are important, because they reduce waste and ensure we get quality items. Nobody is sitting in Brussels putting a spirit level against every banana and ensuring any that are a bit bendy don't cross the Channel. But I don't know how anyone can feel strongly enough about this silly issue to justify jeopardising jobs, restricting freedom of movement and cutting our economic ties with Europe. I know everyone has their own reasons for wanting out and I don't love the EU myself, but come on, bananas? So what? Clearly there are a couple on here who get sleepless nights worrying about banana shape legislation and cheese nomenclature. The very definition of tragic.
|
|
|
Post by Ian H Block on Jun 24, 2020 21:42:28 GMT
Even when you’ve become inured to Tory corruption, this Robert Jenrick affair is deeply shocking.
|
|
|
Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Jun 24, 2020 21:52:12 GMT
Even when you’ve become inured to Tory corruption, this Robert Jenrick affair is deeply shocking. I’m old enough to remember when a housing minister overturning a planning decision to save a Tory donor £140m then lying to Parliament about it would have caused him to resign.
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 5:59:58 GMT
via mobile
Post by Ian H Block on Jun 25, 2020 5:59:58 GMT
Even when you’ve become inured to Tory corruption, this Robert Jenrick affair is deeply shocking. I’m old enough to remember when a housing minister overturning a planning decision to save a Tory donor £140m then lying to Parliament about it would have caused him to resign. They can’t even be corrupt competently. Absolutely the worst Government we’ve ever had and tragic that it’s happening now.
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 11:16:38 GMT
Post by luke90 on Jun 25, 2020 11:16:38 GMT
I’m old enough to remember when a housing minister overturning a planning decision to save a Tory donor £140m then lying to Parliament about it would have caused him to resign. They can’t even be corrupt competently. Absolutely the worst Government we’ve ever had and tragic that it’s happening now. I guess that is what happens though when you have absolutely no other option to vote for
|
|
|
Post by Ian H Block on Jun 25, 2020 11:22:29 GMT
They can’t even be corrupt competently. Absolutely the worst Government we’ve ever had and tragic that it’s happening now. I guess that is what happens though when you have absolutely no other option to vote for No other option if you are incapable of independent thought.
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 11:50:22 GMT
Post by luke90 on Jun 25, 2020 11:50:22 GMT
I guess that is what happens though when you have absolutely no other option to vote for No other option if you are incapable of independent thought. There was absolutely no other viable option. You know it as well as anyone else, even if you want to bury your head in the sand and bang and Corbyn drum.
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 11:55:00 GMT
Post by Lobster on Jun 25, 2020 11:55:00 GMT
No other option if you are incapable of independent thought. There was absolutely no other viable option. You know it as well as anyone else, even if you want to bury your head in the sand and bang and Corbyn drum. If you genuinely feel there's no option, then spoil your ballot or abstain from voting. Don't vote for something you hate!
|
|
|
Post by Ian H Block on Jun 25, 2020 12:15:11 GMT
No other option if you are incapable of independent thought. There was absolutely no other viable option. You know it as well as anyone else, even if you want to bury your head in the sand and bang and Corbyn drum. So you pressed the nuclear option and 65,000 corpses later we’re seeing just how viable that was. Well done you.
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 14:20:37 GMT
Post by luke90 on Jun 25, 2020 14:20:37 GMT
There was absolutely no other viable option. You know it as well as anyone else, even if you want to bury your head in the sand and bang and Corbyn drum. So you pressed the nuclear option and 65,000 corpses later we’re seeing just how viable that was. Well done you. Thanks mate x
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 14:33:40 GMT
via mobile
Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Jun 25, 2020 14:33:40 GMT
There was absolutely no other viable option. You know it as well as anyone else, even if you want to bury your head in the sand and bang and Corbyn drum. So you pressed the nuclear option and 65,000 corpses later we’re seeing just how viable that was. Well done you. 65,000 dead is a small price to pay for not having the option to get your broadband for free...
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 14:55:50 GMT
via mobile
Post by Ian H Block on Jun 25, 2020 14:55:50 GMT
These 65,000 people didn’t die in vain though, they died for an oven-ready Brexit.
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 15:44:34 GMT
via mobile
Post by South Wirral Blue on Jun 25, 2020 15:44:34 GMT
No other option if you are incapable of independent thought. There was absolutely no other viable option Spot on - although things are clearly changing after yet another bad day for the toxic Labour far left. I wonder if they'll ever come close to being relevant again? Today's announcement is another small step back toward gaining trust and credibility.
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 15:56:08 GMT
via mobile
Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Jun 25, 2020 15:56:08 GMT
There was absolutely no other viable option Spot on - although things are clearly changing after yet another bad day for the toxic Labour far left. I wonder if they'll ever come close to being relevant again? Today's announcement is another small step back toward gaining trust and credibility. Yes because the main opposition Party sacking the Shadow Education Secretary for opposing the governments “back to school” plans against the wishes of the “Leader” of the “Opposition” is trustworthy and credible 🙄
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 16:58:00 GMT
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2020 16:58:00 GMT
I don't think that was why she was sacked. More to do with liking maxine peakes a ti semantic tweet
|
|
|
Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Jun 25, 2020 17:14:15 GMT
I don't think that was why she was sacked. More to do with liking maxine peakes a ti semantic tweet Your sentence makes no sense.
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 17:17:03 GMT
via mobile
Post by Ian H Block on Jun 25, 2020 17:17:03 GMT
I don't think that was why she was sacked. More to do with liking maxine peakes a ti semantic tweet Your sentence makes no sense. I thought it was one of his more pithy rejoinders.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 17:21:06 GMT
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2020 17:21:06 GMT
Oh dear I missed an n Just pardon my fat thumbs it must be fabulous to be as clever as you two.i don't think you are related maybe something a little more.
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 17:24:50 GMT
via mobile
Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Jun 25, 2020 17:24:50 GMT
Oh dear I missed an n Just pardon my fat thumbs it must be fabulous to be as clever as you two.i don't think you are related maybe something a little more. Fair enough you missed an “n” - I’d say your sentence was anti-semantic...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 17:28:58 GMT
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2020 17:28:58 GMT
Do you not use predictive text. And you fully understand what I meant your just using it to cover up another one of your lies. Would you like to tell us all why she was sacked.
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 18:54:01 GMT
via mobile
Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Jun 25, 2020 18:54:01 GMT
Do you not use predictive text. And you fully understand what I meant your just using it to cover up another one of your lies. Would you like to tell us all why she was sacked. Already told you the real reason. You just chose not to believe it.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
BREXIT
Jun 25, 2020 19:51:08 GMT
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2020 19:51:08 GMT
I'll just read your posts in future. You seem to know every thing.
|
|
|
Post by Deva Chanter on Jun 25, 2020 20:38:22 GMT
The idea that anything Maxine Peake said was anti-semitic is just galaxy brain stuff. The constant conflation of Judaism and the state of Israel is in and of itself highly offensive to many Jews and also arguably anti-semitic at least according to the IHRA guidelines.
|
|
|
BREXIT
Jun 26, 2020 7:22:02 GMT
Post by Lobster on Jun 26, 2020 7:22:02 GMT
I suppose the whole Labour anti-Semitism thing has been so blown up by the media that Starmer has to be seen to be doing something about it, and Long-Bailey has made herself an easy example to be made of.
It's pretty ridiculous though that retweeting an article is seen as complete endorsement of everything mentioned in it. Twitter doesn't exactly allow for objective discussion. I wonder if politicians would do better to stay off it and run their own blogs instead, where they can get their ideas across properly instead of rowing with keyboard warriors in single-sentence exchanges.
|
|