The National Fisheries Committee warns that in the absence of a “satisfactory epilogue” quickly, this quarrel “will no longer delay by the movement of mood” on the part of French fishermen.
Le Monde with AFP and Reuters
France will take measures of “replica” or even “retortion” within eight days if the United Kingdom does not grant more licenses to the French fishermen, declared the French Secretary of State on 14 October. European affairs, Clément Beaune. Nine days later, French fishermen feel that progress with Great Britain on the granting of fishing licenses in British waters after Brexit are insufficient.
“The negotiations that resumed last Wednesday have at this stage, led to the issuance of an additional license handle. (…) Recorded progress is far too shy and especially far too long (…),” said On Saturday, October 23, the National Fisheries Committee (CNPMEM) after a videoconference with the Minister of the Sea, Annick Girardin, adding that the minister had assured French fishermen that “she would not let go.” This videoconferencing was intended to hold French fishermen informed of the progress of the European Commission negotiations with the British authorities.
France accuses London not to comply with the agreements concluded in the exit of Britain of the European Union by imposing new conditions for the granting of licenses in the British waters for European fishermen, In particular, proof of an activity prior to Brexit in the areas concerned.
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Delay fixed at 30 October
The post-Brexit agreement signed at the end of December between London and Brussels anticipates that European fishermen can work off the British and Anglo-Norman waters, but must prove that they already did it in the past. Nine months after the agreement, Jersey granted 64 final licenses to French boats (compared with 169 requested by Paris) and rejected 75 files.
The CNPMEM warns that, in the absence of a “satisfactory epilogue” quickly, this quarrel “will no longer delay by ending by mood movements” on the part of French fishermen. According to the French government, which threatens to take reprisal measures in areas such as energy, access to ports or customs issues, Great Britain has set the deadline on 30 October for granting. his licenses. According to the CNPMEM, the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, will chair Tuesday a meeting on the subject “during which the French strategy will be refined”.
Olivier Lepreche, Chairman of the Regional Maritime Fisheries Committee of the Hauts-de-France, said representatives of the European Commission and the British Government would again meet Monday. “It takes clear answers before the end of the month to give visibility to fishermen. The technical work will continue in the coming days, forced”, he said, to assure himself as “the government does not let anything “.
