2022-06-09
A rather depressing but some might think all-too-predictable analysis of the new trade deal with New Zealand is offered by Brexit Watch.
"Who negotiated this deal, the EU?"
A fair question. Still, over the next 4 to 8 years (why so long?) tariffs on nearly all of New Zealand's products will be removed, although it seems that some quotas may remain.
So from all parties' point of view, traders and producers will have time to review supply chains and bring in controlled change. One can always argue about the details, but clearly an abrupt removal might be a source of unwanted disruption.
There again, the world is being disrupted with supply chains already in some turmoil, so one wonders whether we might need a bit more flexibility.
2022-06-09
Once again we turn to the indefatigable Amazing Polly for the low down on the latest medical scare currently being inflated out of all proportion by the global medical authorities.
Do we still believe that they have our best interests at heart?
We had somewhere around 1000 cases globally (reportedly) a few days ago, and already they are sowing the mental seeds that this is a terrible disease on a par with "leprosy and plague" not to mention malaria. Ooooh Err!
So what's the truth?
We won't know for a while, but their track record in "gain of function" so far doesn't suggest that this will be the BIG ONE. More probably another damp squib one. Time will tell.
(35 minutes)