Brexit deal undermines East Anglian fisherman and sends bad message
The Renaissance of the East Anglian Fisheries group fears the on-going fishing row could negatively impact local fishermen.
The Brexit deal has left British fisherman exposed and sends out the wrong message to European vessels.
That's according to Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney and chair of the Renaissance of the East Anglian Fisheries.
He says "nobody wants a trade war", but insists the UK Government "are entitled to take the tough response and approach" they have.
He told us that the Brexit deal allowing European fishermen, who have historically caught in UK water to continue, was the wrong decision: "I think that has sent out a very very bad message. It undermines British fishermen and also I question whether it sends out a message to the French that they are pushing at an open door when it comes to the British".
He went on to say that he and others fear the escalating row could have negative repercussions for local fishermen: "The parallel in our area to all this is electro-pulse fishing by the Dutch. The Government have said they want to stop that, and they are quite right to say that.
"Local fishermen might be thinking now, if the British Government don't stand fast on this, does this create an unhealthy precedent that will undermine still further, our industry locally."
It comes as Emmanuel Macron has decided not to push ahead with threats to take action against the UK in a dispute over post-Brexit fishing licences to fish in British waters.
The UK Government has welcomed the announcement from the French President.
He had warned that Paris could block British boats from landing their catches in French ports and tighten customs checks from midnight in protest at what they claim is a refusal by UK authorities to grant licences to French boats.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “We welcome the French Government’s announcement that they will not go ahead with implementing their proposed measures as planned tomorrow.
“The UK has set out its position clearly on these measures in recent days.
“As we have said consistently, we are ready to continue intensive discussions on fisheries, including considering any new evidence to support the remaining license applications.
“We welcome France’s acknowledgement that in-depth discussions are needed to resolve the range of difficulties in the UK/EU relationship.”
On Monday night, just hours ahead of the deadline set by Paris, the French president was reported to have told journalists at the Cop26 summit in Glasgow: “Since this afternoon, discussions have resumed on the basis of a proposal I made to prime minister (Boris) Johnson.
“The talks need to continue.”
“My understanding is that the British were going to come back to us tomorrow with other proposals.
“All that will be worked on.
“We’ll see where we are tomorrow at the end of the day, to see if things have really changed,” he is reported to have said.
“My wish is that we can find a way out on all these issues.”