EU threaten to cut off vaccine supply to the UK 2

[Baileysforchristmas]

As the other thread is full

www.politico.eu/article/commission-proposes-six-week-vaccine-export-ban-amid-fears-of-trade-war/

The ACTUAL contract was signed in August 2020.

The UK were originally hoping for 30 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine by September 2020. Clearly we had some sort of agreement prior to August;

Britain had agreed in May to take 100 million doses of the vaccine, developed by Oxford University and licensed to AstraZeneca, with 30 million doses estimated for delivery by September 2020.

www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-astrazenec-idUKKBN27K2GU

MRex Your post is absolutely spot on thank you for posting. Lessons are indeed being learnt, not just by us but I suspect every country will be reevaluating their exposure to the EU now.

I suspect the UK have go further than self sufficiency with Pharma though. We can not forget the French lightening blockade on the ports at Christmas with food and medical supplies. One must assume that we need to evaluate supply chains, and perhaps consider some self sufficiency is going to be needed in many other areas as well. Thankfully much of this has been done already.

There is a small chance that the more level headed countries within the EU will prevail and manage to steer the EU away from the cliff, but the damage has been done to some degree.

I would hope the UK will continue to remain dignified, and remember that we are a respected, trusted country globally, and continue to meet orders in Yorkshire for Pjizer regardless of what the EU decides to do.

By remaining a robust and open country that fulfils our legal and moral duties to the EU, even in the face of such appalling behaviour and failure we ensure our country and its reputation is not tarnished or damaged by this incident(s)

@Itsalonghaul

Yes that is right work because AZ are contractually obliged to fulfil their order to the UK first. That was always the case.

This is not the choice of AZ, but the legal rule of law.

The contract states that the agreement made with the EU will be 'best efforts' AFTER the UK - not as well, or before. That means you will get every dose that you want, at the time frame of your choice. It is not a Mcdonalds drive through. It is a contract that clearly states what was agreed.

At the time the EU put most of their bets on the failed French vaccine and Pjizer, and one or two others instead. They are now scrambling around to make up the shortfall due to the failed vaccine. Had Sanofi delivered, I am sure the situation would not be as grave as it is now.

Can you show the wording in the contract that states: "AZ are contractually obliged to fulfil their order to the UK first." and "The contract states that the agreement made with the EU will be 'best efforts' AFTER the UK - not as well, or before."

MRex good post and useful to see this

If you read the non-redacted parts of the EC Astrazeneca contract, it's clear that the initial 300m doses are made in the EU and the Additional 100m doses can use UK facilities; they haven't got to that point.

It is attached to the post earlier.

@Itsalonghaul

It is attached to the post earlier.

Which post?

Nor have they even managed to open the facilities needed in the EU yet marsha

For a continent so suddenly desperate for the AZ vaccine, you would rather expect them to fast track their own facilities. Or is it just easier to shout across the channel.

EU is totally divided on this, by the way. It does have the full or even 50% of support among members.

I am beginning to wonder if the EU are actually wanting to shed member states? What must be the view from there as they fight and fiddle over vaccines, whilst Rome literally burns. I am flabbergasted.

@Itsalonghaul

It is attached to the post earlier.

And both contracts can easily be found via Google.

An 'adult' school run is needed now haffiana so I will leave you to work out where to find the contracts, that and learning about how international relationships work !
Clue: It does not usually include raiding ports and stealing vaccines. Or patents.

The EU contract says they will make best efforts to supply AND that they have no other contracts preventing them from doing so. UK contract says UK first. Clearly a contradiction. AZ already breaking EU contract, but to keep them happy would have to break UK contract. AZ are a joke. All parties need to negotiate and reach a compromise.

The EU contract says the first 300million doses must be produced within the EU. That does not contradict the UK contract.

@Itsalonghaul

Nor have they even managed to open the facilities needed in the EU yet marsha

For a continent so suddenly desperate for the AZ vaccine, you would rather expect them to fast track their own facilities. Or is it just easier to shout across the channel.

EU is totally divided on this, by the way. It does have the full or even 50% of support among members.

I am beginning to wonder if the EU are actually wanting to shed member states? What must be the view from there as they fight and fiddle over vaccines, whilst Rome literally burns. I am flabbergasted.

Really I didn’t know that but it makes sense. Actually maybe I did, I recall we were ahead with production.

Did you mention that we could produce all AZ in U.K. after short delay LongHaul?

I think it was your post. Do you know how long for the delay? And can we fulfil what we need?

Very good if so.

Although if we have an incredibly good procurement process and can’t even get, say , Moderna as scheduled that is hugely problematic

Haffiana the contract is already published, there are many screen shots on the internet and older MN threads, which highlight the exact part referred too.

I'm afraid you are a victim of propaganda where this is related. As it is stated in black and white for the world to see, thanks to the EU. Please also bear in mind that AZ could have (possibly still could, IDK) declare the contract Null and void because the EU fail to properly redact confidential and very sensitive parts of the contract.

The commission has already threatened to block the export of millions of AstraZeneca vaccines from the company's Halix plant in Leiden, the Netherlands, to the UK Even though the EMA has not yet approved plant or vaccine from there.

Ursula von der Leyen, the commission president, wants Boris Johnson to release AstraZeneca from its contractual agreement of first refusal on supplies from the company's two British factories so it can supply the bloc From "it's contractural agreement" please note Haffiana

The commission argues that its contract with AstraZeneca counts the two factories as EU suppliers. The Halix factory cannot currently supply the EU, pending regulatory clearance from the European Medicines Agency No, we are not longer in the EU. The contract states supply "from within the EU" not Europe.

Meanwhile the EU Is looking more and more like a basket case with every passing hour.

I agree. If it’s true that there are millions of doses going unused and about to expire then well, that is beyond despicable. Does anyone know if the stories about Boris sharing some of our vaccines with the EU are definitely true? I sincerely hope not. If we had another referendum tomorrow, Leave would win by a landslide now.

Good grief.

Has anyone got a link to the actual UK - Astrazeneca contract? Or to the parts that state that it must supply the UK BEFORE it supplies the EU as stated in this thread?

The EU - Astrazeneca contract is readily available and is published on the EU website.

Mr Johnson is understood to be prepared to share vaccine supplies from the Halix factory as UK officials try to convince Brussels to drop the threat. Britain also wants its investment in developing the AstraZeneca vaccine to be taken into account in any deal with Brussels

Interesting if true.

Ursula von der Leyen, the commission president, wants Boris Johnson to release AstraZeneca from its contractual agreement of first refusal on supplies from the company's two British factories so it can supply the bloc

Words fail me. Does anyone think Boris will actually do this? Surely to god not

I've been following these threads on and off for a while, but wanted to delurk to ask a question - I hope that's okay.

What is the hold up with approval for the Halix plant? The EU are desperate for vaccines, these ones have been approved by the UK (hence being sent here). Why don't the EMA get their act together and get approval sorted ASAP?

@Haffiana

Good grief.

Has anyone got a link to the actual UK - Astrazeneca contract? Or to the parts that state that it must supply the UK BEFORE it supplies the EU as stated in this thread?

The EU - Astrazeneca contract is readily available and is published on the EU website.

Good grief.

Haven't got access to Google? Or do you routinely expect other people to do your leg work for you?

@Haffiana

Good grief.

Has anyone got a link to the actual UK - Astrazeneca contract? Or to the parts that state that it must supply the UK BEFORE it supplies the EU as stated in this thread?

The EU - Astrazeneca contract is readily available and is published on the EU website.

Well, as UVDL is asking for this contractural agreement to be waived, one would assume it is in the contract. No?

All the manufacturers have been making amazing efforts with huge challenges to get new facilities and staff working, quality checks in a brand new vaccine, manage sometimes conflicting raw material constraints etc. The UK manufacturing has started and been coming up to speed, but we have to acknowledge it is starting from a small base. Everyone knew dates were hopeful, that's why the contracts stated efforts from both sides. Two things that went wrong here are that the EC took too long signing contacts, but secondly they didn't make efforts to help the manufacturers make raw material plans, find facilities and start production earlier. It didn't need to be a row about who gets fewer vaccines, there simply would have been more vaccines in the world.

Why do the EC and some EU countries still appear to prefer to speak badly to the press about their supplier rather than actually help that supplier to succeed, when the contract states they have obligations too? What additional plants or other support have been given to AZ's in line with the "best efforts" the contract demands of the EC in supporting them? How was the Sanofi German facility only moved over to start ramping up for Pfizer in FEBRUARY 2021? Why were Spain only starting ramp-up of facilities in FEBRUARY 2021 for multiple suppliers when they have a range of facilities? Are the EC actually helping this process, or is it time for the EU countries to appoint someone who understands pharmaceuticals to take on management of the contracts and process, who is authorised to make formal requests for help from the individual country governments?

Haven't got access to Google? Or do you routinely expect other people to do your leg work for you?

Yep I have googled. Can't find it. Can you?

@nonono1

Ursula von der Leyen, the commission president, wants Boris Johnson to release AstraZeneca from its contractual agreement of first refusal on supplies from the company's two British factories so it can supply the bloc

Words fail me. Does anyone think Boris will actually do this? Surely to god not

Unbelievable

What do we potentially lose through a ban? Moderna and Pfizer?

@Haffiana

Haven't got access to Google? Or do you routinely expect other people to do your leg work for you?

Yep I have googled. Can't find it. Can you?

Yes, I did. Try 'uk government contract with astrazeneca'.