Quote Originally Posted by ragingpup View Post
I had to double take and re read that animal. "mainly due to Green legislation pushed by the Green party's of Europe" At the last count, there is not one Green Party in governence in the whole of Europe, and they only form small but significant minorities in 4 EU countries, all of whom they are working with majority centre left/right parties so making much compromise.

The EU have of course been pushing envoronmental policies in a bid to keep a world going for our Grandchildren (another big difference between me and reform, I tend to side with proven science but that's a different debate) and that has had some impact on pushing chemical industries to Chine but to say that is the sole issues, and to not point to the bigger driver of energy prices spiking in Europe since the war in Ukraine just smells of Reform regurg. It doesn't say anything also of China's advantage (competitively, not for the poor workers) in terms of cheaper labour, it doesn't say anything about how the EU have amended their stance on this with their "Plan for stronger EU chemical industry," which includes a simplification package for key EU chemicals legislation to enhance the sector's competitiveness and reduce administrative load on member countries.

And in China, far from being "free from environmental legislation", not a lot of research actually tells us that the Chinese leaders are pushing through a large range of climate legislation (Environmental and Ecological Protection Code I think it's called) and contrary to popular unchallenged belief, have actually worked to reduce their immissions, which they have done in some cities and target more to come. This would seem to indicate that in terms of legislation only, there is a more even playing field to come, that the EU are right to persist with amendments and play the long game - and this is without even going into the business and economic benefits of green energy.

You're right in that you don't need to go to University or read the Guardian to read through a lot of **** in the world. But even some basic internet research from 2 or 3 relatively reliable sources would lead you to challenge your conclusions here.
Raging , come on your better than this .

You don't have to be in power to drive various agendas , Reform aren't in government in the UK but they are squeezing Labour's testicles good and proper on a number of things and Labour are having to respond .

I'm pretty sure you are aware of the influence of lobbyists too , Brussels is full of them and they get results .

Do you actually believe the Chinese are suddenly going all Green and environmental ? , the Chinese aren't really answerable to anyone and given we are fast reaching the stage where they are the only place we can source our products from i pretty much doubt they are likely to incur extra costs and put Europe back in the game .

I work in the chemical sector raging , we are having to source more and more of our chemicals from China as the European manufacturing market disintegrates , it's unlikely there will be anyone left manufacturing chemicals in Europe in 5 years time .

You might not like this Raging but the right arent entirely wrong on all this Green business and it's going to lead to huge job loses whilst the Chinese clean up , no pun intended .