The Ministry of Defence have issued new guidance for exports of military goods under the US-UK Defence Trade Co-operation Treaty.
This guidance specifically concerns completion of a new offline version of the MOD F680 when applying under Treaty auspices only.
If you intend to export certain specified military goods under the auspices of the US-UK Defence Trade Co-operation Treaty and have ‘approved community’ status (which is granted by the Ministry of Defence DE&S Infrastructure Security team) then you may be able to register for the Open General Export Licence (Exports under the US-UK Defence Trade Co-operation Treaty). This OGEL is issued by the Export Control Organisation (ECO).
Rules on how customs officials confiscate, store and destroy imports of counterfeit or pirated goods that infringe intellectual property rights (IPRs) have been clarified by the European Parliament.
Imports that infringe IPRs are a growing problem in the EU, due in particular to the rising volume of goods bought by EU citizens online and shipped to them from countries outside the Union.
Customs confiscations of such goods almost doubled between 2009 and 2010, and they are costing European businesses about €250 billion in lost sales each year.
The draft regulation on customs enforcement of IPRs, which the MEPs were debating, aims to make customs procedures more effective by laying down clear rules on the storage of infringing goods, who should bear the burden of proving that they infringe IPRs, and who should pay the costs of destroying them.
It does not, however, change the rules defining an “IPR infringement”.
Preliminary figures for 2010 show a 200% increase in small postal consignments confiscated by customs. The draft regulation introduces a simplified procedure to allow small consignments of suspected counterfeit or pirated goods to be destroyed more quickly.
Parliament amended the proposal to ensure that the person who would have received the goods has five days in which to object to their destruction and that buyers who bought them in good faith do not have to pay the cost of destroying them.
The Commission proposal does not define “small consignment”.
MEPs agreed that it should mean three items or fewer, together weighing below 2kg and contained in one package. Goods of a non-commercial nature contained in a travellers’ personal luggage will be excluded from the scope of the regulation.
The regulation also aims to clarify and strengthen rules on generic medicines in transit through the EU.
The text stresses that customs authorities must abide by the EU’s international commitments to ensure that these medicines are not delayed or confiscated unless there is “clear and convincing evidence that they are intended for sale in the Union”.
Which imports have recently been subject to reinforced border checks?
On 5 June 2012, the EU updated its list of imports of plant origin subject to reinforced border checks from 1 July 2012.
Controls performed at EU borders have recently been very successful and, consequently, the EU decided to adjust the intensity of controls for some products, while adding others to the list of imports of plant origin that are subject to an increased level of official controls at national level.
As a result of the improved level of compliance with EU requirements for pesticide residues, the control frequency for listed vegetables from the Dominican Republic is to be reduced from 50% to 20%. In light of the high level of non-compliance reported by Member States in 2011 in relation to Indian okra, the frequency of controls is to be increased from 10% to 50%.
Concerning new listings, due to the possible presence of aflatoxins, nutmeg and mace from Indonesia are to be added to the list of imports which are subject to reinforced border checks.
New EU Regulation 389/2012 replaces current procedures on the movement of excise goods with an improved electronic one.
The new regulation In the EU, Regulation 2073/2004/EC on administrative co-operation in the field of excise duties has provided a common system whereby, in order to ensure the correct application of legislation on excise duties and to combat their evasion and ensuing distortions in the internal market, Member States assist each other and co-operate with the European Commission. It was decided in 2011 that a number of changes needed to be made to that regulation in view of experiences to date and of recent developments. Given the number of changes seen to be necessary, it was decided that the 2004 Regulation should be entirely replaced rather than amended.
Accordingly, on 8 May 2012, the Council published Regulation 389/2012/EU. This contains new rules that remove the need for manual collection of operation statistics on the movement of excise goods, replacing the current procedures with an improved electronic one.
Computerising the information exchange between Member States on the excise of products (such as alcohol, tobacco and energy products) should make it easier and faster to collect excise duties that are due and improve Member States’ controls on the revenue.
What stays the same Exchange of information in excise matters is generally necessary in order to establish a true picture of the excise affairs of certain persons, but Member States are not at liberty to engage in “fishing expeditions” nor to request information that is unlikely to be relevant to the excise affairs of a given person or ascertainable group of persons.
For the purposes of a proper co-ordination of information flow, the provisions of Regulation 2073/2004/EU are maintained as regards a single point of contact in each Member State. Since more direct contacts between the authorities and officials of the Member States might be necessary for reasons of efficiency, the provisions on delegation and the designation of competent officials are also to be kept.
For the effective monitoring of excise procedures in cross-border movement, it has also been decided to continue to provide for the possibility of simultaneous controls by Member States and for the presence of officials of one State in the territory of another, within the framework of administrative co-operation.
The exchange of information with non-EU countries has proven beneficial for the correct application of legislation on excise duties and this too should be maintained, within the EU’s laws on data protection.
What changes The new regulation, which applied from 1 July 2012, enables Member States to better co-ordinate the use of the computerised Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS), which was introduced in 2010. The EMCS monitors the movement of excise goods for which duties still have to be paid. Automated procedures replace manual procedures wherever this information is electronically available within the EMCS. This, for example, includes information on road controls or interruptions in the movement of goods. Member States will not be entitled to refuse the provision of information solely on the basis of national rules on banking secrecy.
Feedback is an appropriate means to ensure continual improvement of the quality of the information exchanged and Regulation 389/2012/EU consequently provides a framework for the Member States to report back on how the system is working.
Member States must waive all claims for the reimbursement of expenses incurred in applying this regulation, with the exception of claims in respect of fees paid to experts. Traders should be able to speedily operate the verifications necessary for movements of excise goods. They will therefore be provided with the possibility of having the validity of excise numbers confirmed electronically through a central register operated by the Commission and fed by the information contained in national databases.
Seaweed bacteria may prevent tooth decay Scientists claim the use of microbes found on seaweed to see more effective results in the fight against tooth decay rather than any of the branded toothpastes.
NHS charging and rationing ‘may be needed’ More rationing of care and charging for services in the NHS need to be considered as it faces at least a decade of austerity, experts say.
Annual producer output inflation down from 2.9% in May to 2.3% in June; annual producer input inflation down from nil in May to -2.3% in June
Commenting on the producer price figures for June 2012, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said:
“The decline in producer price inflation shows that both output and input measures are at their lowest levels since 2009. These figures indicate consumer price inflation is likely to continue falling over the next few months, which will ease pressures facing businesses and individuals and boost consumer spending.
“In the face of tough fiscal austerity at home and difficult problems in the eurozone, falling inflation is the most important single factor underpinning demand in the UK. Nothing should be done to limit the fall in inflation, and the MPC should not use quantitative easing to try and prevent inflation falling below its target. In recent years inflation has been consistently above target and this has dampened economic activity. It is not certain that inflation will fall below target, but if this happened for a short period it would be welcome.
“Meanwhile, the economic situation remains difficult for Norfolk businesses. While the government perseveres with its deficit reduction plan, it should act forcefully to reallocate priorities towards growth. This means more deregulation, supporting business lending and moving towards the creation of a business bank.”
After a delicious buffet lunch at Yours Business Networks, Paul Leggett gave an insightful and honest account of the importance of investing in people. As Director of HR & Administration for Cooper Roller Bearings he understands that people are key to any business. Paul discussed the many ways that businesses can invest in people, including less direct ways such as through supporting community projects and charities.
He discussed how some employees only feel valued when they perceive that the investment is directly benefitting them, so it is important to share success with employees through newsletters, appraisals and rewards. He finished by mentioning the importance of apprenticeships and explained how Cooper Roller Bearings have an excellent apprenticeship scheme themselves.
Delegates also had the chance to hear from two ‘Sixty Second Spotlight’ speakers Paul Kunes, MTL and Gérard Spencer, Europeducation. As well as hearing from Carl Woodwards, the event sponsors Lloyds TSB. The event was hosted by Heather Garrod, President, West Norfolk Chamber Council who is passionate about West Norfolk Businesses and agreed with Paul that investment in people is vital.
Commenting on today’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“The £50bn increase in Quantitative Easing (QE) announced by the MPC may have only marginal benefits to the real economy. Arguments for increasing QE have been strengthened by the threat posed by the eurozone crisis to the UK’s financial system, but there are other policies that could help boost economic growth.
“While the increase in QE may produce some modest benefits, the policy is not risk-free, and could be counter-productive. It may limit the decline in inflation in the long term. It may limit the decline in inflation in the long term, at a time when we need falling inflation to underpin real incomes and boost demand in the UK economy. QE was the right response in earlier years, but at the present time its benefits for the real economy are at best likely to be marginal.
“There are better and more effective ways to tackle the challenges faced by the UK financial system and the real economy. For example, we believe the government and Bank of England should implement the lending and liquidity schemes recently announced at the Mansion House swiftly. To boost lending to businesses, the MPC must agree to purchase private sector assets, and the government must initiate moves towards the creation of a business bank.
Commenting ahead of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision tomorrow (Thursday), David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Given the difficult economic circumstances, both in the UK and across the world, many expect the MPC to announce a £50bn increase in Quantitative Easing (QE). The argument for more QE has been strengthened by the effect of the eurozone crisis on the UK financial system, with the resulting increase in higher funding costs for UK banks harming both businesses and consumers.
“While an increase in QE may have some benefits, the effect will be marginal. Increasing QE is not risk-free, and could be counter-productive. It may limit the decline in inflation in the long term, at a time when we need falling inflation to underpin real incomes and boost demand in the UK economy.
“There are other ways to tackle the challenges faced by the UK economy – for example if the government and Bank of England are able to implement the two recently announced lending and liquidity schemes quickly, and forcefully. To support lending to businesses, the MPC must agree to purchase private sector assets, and the government must initiate moves towards the creation of a business bank.”
Commenting ahead of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision tomorrow (Thursday), David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Given the difficult economic circumstances, both in the UK and across the world, many expect the MPC to announce a £50bn increase in Quantitative Easing (QE). The argument for more QE has been strengthened by the effect of the eurozone crisis on the UK financial system, with the resulting increase in higher funding costs for UK banks harming both businesses and consumers.
“While an increase in QE may have some benefits, the effect will be marginal. Increasing QE is not risk-free, and could be counter-productive. It may limit the decline in inflation in the long term, at a time when we need falling inflation to underpin real incomes and boost demand in the UK economy.
“There are other ways to tackle the challenges faced by the UK economy – for example if the government and Bank of England are able to implement the two recently announced lending and liquidity schemes quickly, and forcefully. To support lending to businesses, the MPC must agree to purchase private sector assets, and the government must initiate moves towards the creation of a business bank.”
Norfolk Chamber Board members Jonathan Cage, Create Consulting and Peter Foster Hugh J Boswell, Caroline Williams CEO, joined Norfolk MPs, New Anglia LEP and Senior Public sector figures to unveil a blueprint for the future of the region’s rail services today. This manifesto calls for huge investment in the Norwich to London line and puts forward the case for faster trains, more track and better stations.
The manifesto highlights that due to decades of under-investment the trains in the East of England are not fit for purpose and threatens our economic future. It is to be presented to the Department for Transport with a debate on East Anglia’s rail network due to take place in parliament on Tuesday 3 July.