Tariffs

[Exfarmer]

We've lived in the EU for quite a few years. Think I'm correct in saying EU set import quotas on foodstuffs, so that is a recognised technique which we have historically been a part of.

Must have some effect to keep prices higher. So maybe the OP asks a reasonable question? But as said, would get reciprocal policies from countries where we export to.

Export tariffs and quotas also commonly used. E.g. Russia.

The whole point about trade agreements are that they are just that.
It does not need to mean tariff free trading, it means we agree to a mutually beneficial terms of trading.
Our government is desperate , although they will never admit it, to get full access to EU financial markets, in turn they will have to accept something in return.
similarly a deal with the US always meant free access to all US foodstuffs, however this may change with the new administration. However their deal, may be even harder to swallow as it will very likely have a political aspect in regards to Ireland.

 

[ollie989898]

Can we produce all the grades of grain that we use in this country, and is it possible for us to balance these on an annual basis? I don't know the answer, but I suspect there are some specifications that we can't manage here.

As I understand it, sometimes the milling industry does import some harder wheats from abroad to blend into flour made here.

 

[ollie989898]

Beef wise there aren't many cuts that can't be used here, if we can't make the best loaf of bread we'll have to make do.
An old boy once told me if that's what's put infront of them that's what they'll have to buy.

With respect, that thinking is 20 years out of date at least.

You try selling heart, tongue and flank in a supermarket. There is no demand for this stuff.

 

[ollie989898]

We've lived in the EU for quite a few years. Think I'm correct in saying EU set import quotas on foodstuffs, so that is a recognised technique which we have historically been a part of.

Must have some effect to keep prices higher. So maybe the OP asks a reasonable question? But as said, would get reciprocal policies from countries where we export to.

Export tariffs and quotas also commonly used. E.g. Russia.

The EU operates a lot of technical restrictions on food which are principally designed to protect European industry. This is no secret. It hands out subsidies to farmers and some food manufacturers. Even so, the price of some foodstuffs imported from elsewhere is still cheaper than they can be produced within Europe. Sugar is a classic example.

 

[ollie989898]

As a general rule of thumb, whatever the problem with international trade, tariffs are not the answer.

I agree. Free and fair access to markets is what is needed in general, not restrictions. Restrictions remove choice for consumers, it's that simple.

 

[czechmate]

As I understand it, sometimes the milling industry does import some harder wheats from abroad to blend into flour made here.

Some 10/12 years ago, premium crops were working with gleds for hovis to encourage us to grow Canadian red wheat to try and avoid buying it in. It died a death so for one reason or another it didn’t work. Sometimes you just can’t beat nature

 

[czechmate]

With respect, that thinking is 20 years out of date at least.

You try selling heart, tongue and flank in a supermarket. There is no demand for this stuff.

And tripe

 

[neilo]

We've lived in the EU for quite a few years. Think I'm correct in saying EU set import quotas on foodstuffs, so that is a recognised technique which we have historically been a part of.

Must have some effect to keep prices higher. So maybe the OP asks a reasonable question? But as said, would get reciprocal policies from countries where we export to.

Export tariffs and quotas also commonly used. E.g. Russia.

Our Brexiteer politicians repeatedly made the point (but not to farming audiences for some reason ), that one of the advantages of Brexit would be the ability to slash import tarriffs and reduce the cost of food.

 

[neilo]

I'm just trying to see an answer to a problem, the UK can't continue to produce food at UK input prices for World produce prices.

Tariffs seem the best idea so far but I'm probably wrong.

Why do you think farmers are owed a living, any more than the coal miners, steelworkers, etc?

 

[ollie989898]

Why do you think farmers are owed a living, any more than the coal miners, steelworkers, etc?

Unfortunately I think these days that relying on the government to help you is a strategy fraught with risk.

 

[czechmate]

Unfortunately I think these days that relying on the government to help you is a strategy fraught with risk.

It’s ok to take the help while it is offered but not rely on it though?

 

[Tealo]

With respect, that thinking is 20 years out of date at least.

You try selling heart, tongue and flank in a supermarket. There is no demand for this stuff.

One option is to mince it, another is pet food.
We used to eat these cuts in this country, if prime cuts get back to the price they should be in these lesser cuts would seem attractive. The same as they did many years ago.

 

[czechmate]

One option is to mince it, another is pet food.
We used to eat these cuts in this country, if prime cuts get back to the price they should be in these lesser cuts would seem attractive. The same as they did many years ago.

Yep. My parents used to eat stinging nettles

 

[Tealo]

Why do you think farmers are owed a living, any more than the coal miners, steelworkers, etc?

I think our country should look after all our home grow industry's, they should have looked after the coal miner's and our steel industries. Instead we import it all and leave other countries to make money out of us. Cheaper is not good in the long run.

 

[ollie989898]

One option is to mince it, another is pet food.
We used to eat these cuts in this country, if prime cuts get back to the price they should be in these lesser cuts would seem attractive. The same as they did many years ago.

They did indeed used to eat this stuff in this country- my father could tell you how to cook virtually anything. But today the supermarkets want 10,000 lean steaks that weigh around 245-260 grammes each and nothing else thank you. They don't want the carp cuts because they don't have the shelf space. I wouldn't stock it either if it was me.

The rest is either minced or exported in bulk. It's a good job Asia exists because they consume insane amounts of chicken legs and feet. All the UK consumer wants is chicken breasts. You can buy frozen (and often fairly large) turkeys or chickens in supermarkets for next to nothing but most people don't want the aggro of cooking or carving it.

The reality is that your average couple these days, doing 40+ hours a week have enough on their plates come 6pm each work day and probably don't want much grief in the kitchen before eating a meal, feeding the kids, watching the kids read or do school work before a shower and bed time.

I don't get home until 9pm after a day shift. I'm not really in the mood to carve up a duck or half a lamb and start a pot roast at the time of night if I am honest.

 

[Tealo]

Yep. My parents used to eat stinging nettles

I know someone who still does.

 

[czechmate]

I know someone who still does.

My parents said they weren’t bad. Although I notice they don’t eat them these last 60 years

 

[ollie989898]

I think our country should look after all our home grow industry's, they should have looked after the coal miner's and our steel industries. Instead we import it all and leave other countries to make money out of us. Cheaper is not good in the long run.

The coal and steel industries were going to be mullered no matter what, Thatcher just sped up what was going to happen anyway.

UK doesn't use that much coal these days, most of the power stations were switched to gas generation by Tony Blair and the steel industry was archaic. Same thing happened in Germany, France etc. Today the UK makes a smaller volume of more specialist steel.

Even the big coal producing countries do so with a lot less labour than before. In places like Canada/Australia, they can surface mine and produce thousands of tonnes with very small crew. Automated mining has taken off in a big way as well to make it safer and more productive for the guys underground.

Steel too, is has become a lot less labour intensive.

 

[Tealo]

They did indeed used to eat this stuff in this country- my father could tell you how to cook virtually anything. But today the supermarkets want 10,000 lean steaks that weigh around 245-260 grammes each and nothing else thank you. They don't want the carp cuts because they don't have the shelf space. I wouldn't stock it either if it was me.

The rest is either minced or exported in bulk. It's a good job Asia exists because they consume insane amounts of chicken legs and feet. All the UK consumer wants is chicken breasts. You can buy frozen (and often fairly large) turkeys or chickens in supermarkets for next to nothing but most people don't want the aggro of cooking or carving it.

The reality is that your average couple these days, doing 40+ hours a week have enough on their plates come 6pm each work day and probably don't want much grief in the kitchen before eating a meal, feeding the kids, watching the kids read or do school work before a shower and bed time.

I don't get home until 9pm after a day shift. I'm not really in the mood to carve up a duck or half a lamb and start a pot roast at the time of night if I am honest.

If as a country you control the source of the supermarkets they suddenly change what goes on the shelf, cleaver marketing sells it.

Working long hours is nothing new, our attitude to it has changed.

 

[ollie989898]

If as a country you control the source of the supermarkets they suddenly change what goes on the shelf, cleaver marketing sells it.

Working long hours is nothing new, our attitude to it has changed.

Why would a country control supermarkets? They are private businesses aren't they?