Post-Brexit fishing row: South West crews say government has to show 'backbone' to France

The French president has postponed sanctions on the UK for now as talks continue

Author: Emma Hart and PA Political StaffPublished 2nd Nov 2021
Last updated 2nd Nov 2021

South West fishermen are calling for the Government to show 'backbone' in the ongoing row over post-Brexit fishing rights.

Those who work at at the Devon port say the industry is getting used to extra red tape after problems and delays caused by Brexit in January, but added that a solution must be found.

France is postponing sanctions on the UK until the end of the day so officials can discuss plans to resolve the dispute.

President Macron claims Britain is not honouring a deal on access to UK waters, something which ministers here deny.

Brixham fish merchant Ian Perkes said: "I'd like to see us toughen up. I'd like to see us fight fire with fire. I'd like to see us make it difficult for the French to bring their wines and their cheeses and all their exports - let's put some blockers on that and see how they like it".

Our senior reporter Andrew Kay has been to meet crews in Brixham as the row continues.

Britain has welcomed France having "stepped back" from threats to impose punitive action for now.

Environment Secretary and Cornwall MP George Eustice acknowledged a de-escalation from the French president, as Emmanuel Macron held off on the action against British boats.

Mr Macron had warned that Paris could block British boats from landing their catches in French ports and tighten customs checks from midnight on Tuesday, in protest at what they claim is a refusal by the UK authorities to grant licences to French boats.

But France suspended the threats at the eleventh hour as negotiations continue.

Mr Eustice told Sky News: "We welcome the fact France has stepped back from the threats it was making last Wednesday.

"We’ve always said we want to de-escalate this and always said we have an ever open door to discuss any further evidence France or the EU might have on any additional vessels they’d like to have licensed.

"France has clearly taken a decision not to implement some of the decisions they threatened last Wednesday, we very much welcome that, but I think there’s going to be a very important meeting on Thursday between Lord Frost and his opposite number, not just on fisheries but a wider range of issues as well".

The EU said talks convened with officials from France, the UK, Jersey and Guernsey would continue on Tuesday 2nd November.

Mr Eustice said a meeting between Brexit minister Lord Frost and France’s Europe minister Clement Beaune in Paris on Thursday would be "very important" as further talks with the EU are also scheduled.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.