Royal Navy warships on standby over fresh post-Brexit fishing row with France

ROYAL Navy gunships have been placed on standby in the Channel in a fresh row with French trawlermen over post-Brexit fishing rights.
By Tom Cotterill
Published 29th Sep 2021, 10:57 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Pictured: This Sunday morning, fishermen in Portsmouth welcomed back the return of HMS Severn from its deployment to assist the fishermen of Jersey. Photo: Simon Czapp/Solent News & Photo AgencyPictured: This Sunday morning, fishermen in Portsmouth welcomed back the return of HMS Severn from its deployment to assist the fishermen of Jersey. Photo: Simon Czapp/Solent News & Photo Agency
Pictured: This Sunday morning, fishermen in Portsmouth welcomed back the return of HMS Severn from its deployment to assist the fishermen of Jersey. Photo: Simon Czapp/Solent News & Photo Agency

Brussels had applied for at least 47 new permits for European boats to fish near the British coastline.

However, only 12 were granted, outraging the French government, who accused the UK of taking French fishing ‘hostage’ and warned of ‘retaliatory action’ following the decision.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Now, it’s feared french fishermen were preparing to blockade Jersey.

The Sun reported that Royal Navy warships had been placed on standby to defend British fishing rights.

Read More
Royal Navy crew from Portsmouth's HMS Lancaster enjoys a stunning light show in ...

France’s Europe minister Clement Beaune warned they would ‘not hesitate’ at retaliating if they felt short changed.

However, a Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman insisted: ‘Our approach has been reasonable and fully in line with our commitments in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘We have been considering applications for vessels of under 12m in length to fish in this zone and, on the basis of the evidence available, we are able to grant licences for 12 of the 47 applications made.”

The spokesman said the UK will continue to work with the European Commission and French authorities ‘and will consider any further evidence provided to support the remaining licence applications’.

France’s minister for the sea Annick Girardin, quoted in Le Monde, said: ‘It is a new refusal of the British to apply the conditions of the Brexit accord despite all the work undertaken together.

‘I have only one watchword; to obtain definitive licences for our fishermen as the accord foresees.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘French fishing must not be taken hostage by the British for political ends.’

French minister for Europe Clement Beaune said ‘we will not hesitate to take retaliatory action, collectively’, the Daily Telegraph reported.

‘We understand and share the exasperation of our fishermen.’

It is the latest flashpoint in the long-running Brexit rows over fishing rights.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In May, Royal Navy patrol vessels were dispatched to Jersey in response to protests by French fishermen.

Looking for the latest Royal Navy updates from Portsmouth? Join our new Royal Navy news Facebook group to keep up to date.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to our online coverage, including Pompey, with 70 per cent fewer adverts for less than 20p a day.

Related topics:FranceRoyal NavyJerseyFacebook