'We must ensure everyone who goes to sea to catch fish is safe'
Ministers say they are "urgently" investigating after a British trawler was detained by France - escalating a post-Brexit fishing argument.
Last updated 28th Oct 2021
The UK Government has threatened to retaliate should France impose sanctions on British fishing vessels, amid reports that one has been detained.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said threats to block British boats from French ports and tighten checks appear to breach international law.
The UK will deliver an "appropriate and calibrated response" if France follows through with the measures, the Cabinet minister warned.
Mr Eustice also confirmed that his officials are "urgently" investigating reports that a British trawler has been detained off the coast of France as disputes about fishing rights continue.
Mr Eustice's Cabinet colleague Priti Patel described the incident as "disappointing".
French authorities said the UK's failure to comply with trade agreements is "unacceptable" and they will defend the rights of their own fishermen.
It comes after two boats were fined on Wednesday when one failed to comply with checks by police and the other was found not to hold a proper licence.
A statement from the French maritime ministry said checks had been carried out on the boats in the Baie de Seine, near Le Havre, in the north of the country.
One trawler was fined for obstructing checks after it initially refused a request to be boarded by police, the statement said.
It was later found not to have been in breach of regulations.
Environment Secretary George Eustice responded to the question today in the Commons
The ministry said the second boat was not on a list of UK vessels with licences granted by the European Commission and France.
The boat was then ordered to divert to Le Havre.
Mr Eustice told MPs: "What I've been able to establish so far in respect of that vessel is that they were on the list that was provided by the MMO (Marine Management Organisation) initially to the European Union.
"The European Union therefore did grant a licence. We are seeing some reports that, for some reason, they were subsequently withdrawn from the list; it's unclear why that might have been at the moment."
Shadow environment secretary Luke Pollard asked in the Commons: "The fishing dispute with France is very troubling and facts need to be established."
He asked if an external waters licence has been issued "to the Scottish scalloper currently detained in Le Havre, as its name does not appear on the MMO website. Is that an oversight?"
Environment secretary George Eustice said: "My officials are investigating the circumstances around this vessel that's been detained in France.
"It is too early to be able to identify precisely what happened. But I have seen reports that it was on a list originally and then appeared not to be on a list. But it is something that I've asked our officials to urgently investigate."
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