The E.U. And AstraZeneca row.

Seems the MEP’s want to see copies of the contracts. Luckily, whatever the outcome the UK can now be nimble when it comes to future deals (of any kind).

Do you think Mamie that the French press are quiet because there might be some embarrassment over their own vaccine not being ready after all until the autumn? The EU invested heavily in it, placing huge orders and at the time, turning down 300 million extra doses of either Pfizer or AZ (can’t recall which one off hand) instead.

I feel for Europeans waiting for their jabs. France for example have only vaccinated one million people at present, Spain even less.

It was a wrong call by the EU over procurement sadly.

And they don’t even agree AZ is safe to administer by their standards until tomorrow. They didn’t find anything ‘unsafe’.

EU showing themselves up for what they are. Bullies basically.
Makes me even more happy I voted leave.

( Although the EU isn’t really a union. it’s just France & Germany with all other countries doing what they’re told. )

My understanding is that the plant in Belgium has produced less vaccine than expected, apparently this is not unusual and fluctuations are to be expected. The EU now expect Astra to make up the shortfall from the UK plants which started much earlier. The EU do seem to be using bullying tactics. I do wonder how they would have reacted if the boot had been on the other foot. I imagine that the UK would have been informed that it was a consequence of Brexit. Speaking as someone who was against leaving the EU. Obviously the UK would have contracts too.

...to publish

You seem to have misunderstood my post grandMattie. We don't know what is in the contracts and we don't know who is right.
In terms of irresponsible and frankly inflammatory reporting, I am talking about elements of the British press. I have not seen anything in the French press (where I live) that expresses the same level of vitriol about this contractual dispute, as I read in the UK papers.
There is annoyance in the EU at what is believed to be a broken contract. AZ disputes this. The public does not know where the truth lies.
The solution to all this would be too publish all public procurement contracts that are funded by taxpayers.
That might bring a few other interesting things to light.

Well said, Mamie. I think the EU are using every trick in the book and some that aren't to show that Brexit isn't a good idea, so that no other country thinks they can go it alone.

As for the distribution, how can AZ give vaccines they don't have? Do they favour later contracts? Do they share proportionately what they have got? Unless one sees the contracts one can't really tell.

It would be very odd indeed if the EU contract said that they had to be favoured above all other orders!

David Allen Green who is an extremely well-informed procurement lawyer says he has no idea who has acted correctly in this as the relevant contracts have not been published. Unless anyone on here has been party to the contracts signed, I would venture to suggest that they are regurgitating xenophobic drivel from the gutter press.

.....the Dutch and Belgians helped the UK out of a spot when they were short of the vaccine in the UK but now that the Europeans are short the UK won’t help them in return........

The reason that the EU is short of vaccine is because it took three full months more for the EU to actually sign any contract to get any vaccines. They did not help out the UK at all, the UK procured sufficient vaccine by signing contracts to ensure supply. Even so, vaccine is now not coming in as quickly as we would like because both Pfizer and AstraZenica are modifying their production lines in order to make more vaccines and supply them where ordered.

And why indeed was Ireland prevented from buying vaccines outside of the EU programme, when Germany was allowed to?
A very good question indeed!

Germany will still have a problem when they do get the vaccine.

www.dw.com/en/german-health-care-tackling-covid-with-paper-pen-and-a-fax-machine/a-56360491

Isn’t it?

We hear a different story in Australia. Who knows where the truth lies? According to our news the Dutch and Belgians helped the uk out of a spot when they were short of the vaccine in the uk but now that the Europeans are short the uk won’t help them in return. Funny how things depend on where you are.

They also haven’t authorised use of the Astra Zeneca vaccine yet. Very poor behaviour.

I’m not anti-EU and I didn’t vote for Brexit, but I do worry that some Europeans will be looking to punish the UK.