Both U.K. France have agreed to work together to end the ongoing post-Brexit fishing rights row between them.
The United Kingdom (U.K.) and France have agreed to work together to end the ongoing post-Brexit fishing rights row between them.
The Prime Minister of U.K. – Boris Johnson and President of France – Emmanuel Macron agreed to resolve the matter mutually on the sidelines of G20 Summit being held in Rome on 30th-31st October, 2021.
The tension started when U.K. recently granted license to only 12 French vessels out of 47, to fish in its territorial waters. The U.K. said it would consider further evidence to support remaining bids for fishing rights. Overall, the U.K. has granted 117 licenses to European Union (E.U.) for its inshore territorial waters.
Retaliating to U.K.’s move, France also threatened to block its ports for British vessels. It also said it will put checks on U.K. boats and trucks if the dispute over fishing licences was not resolved. It also said it could cut electricity supplies to Jersey, a British Crown dependency.
A Statement from the Elysee Palace said the two leaders have “agreed to continue talks in the next hours and days regarding fishing licences.”
It further said that Macron wanted to “continue the dialogue on the basis of exactingness, seriousness and respect.”
Although fishing is a small part of both the British and French economies, it has played a major role in finalising the post-Brexit trade deal between U.K. and Europe. Several European boats have traditionally relied on fishing in British waters and many British companies rely on selling their catch in European markets. There is a particular focus on the number of French boats that will be able to fish in British waters in the English Channel, and around the Channel Islands.
During the discussion, Johnson admitted there are issues between France and U.K. He also said that these differences should not hamper the bilateral ties between the 2 nations.
Prior to this, the Brexit Minister of U.K. – David Frost said that U.K. is considering launching a legal action against France, under the Brexit agreement, for threatening U.K. vessels by denying access to French ports to U.K. vessels.
Taking it to twitter, Frost tweeted,
1/7 I would like to set out where things stand between the UK and the EU on fisheries and related issues, and why recent French rhetoric and threats, potentially leading to a breach by the EU of its Treaty obligations, are such an important matter for us.
— David Frost (@DavidGHFrost) October 30, 2021
He also said that U.K. has been in talks with European Commission for weeks on fisheries licensing and have granted 98% of applications. He said that U.K. is delivering on its TCA obligation – to license vessels which can prove they have actually fished previously in our 6-12nm limit.
Replying to Frost, the State Secretary for European Affairs in France – Clement Beaune tweeted,
1/ Following the Brexit deal (TCA), access was due to be granted within days to EU boats. We have now been negotiating patiently and constructively for 10 months, replying to a series of detailed and additional requests from British authorities, boat by boat.
— Clement Beaune (@CBeaune) October 31, 2021
He said that more than 40% of French vessels have been denied license. As far as Europe is concerned, U.K. cleared more than 90% of the licenses. He accused U.K. of being unfair towards them as issuing only few licences cannot be a technical problem (as claimed by U.K.). It has to be a political choice and a breach of the TCA.
