Post-Brexit fishing: France does not “back down” on British licenses

Published on : 19/11/2021 – 15:38

The French Secretary of State for European Affairs said on Friday that France is not “backing down” on fishing and is still demanding the “same number” of licenses in London, amid concerns of French fishermen over a possible turnaround in Paris.

“There is no renunciation or retreat. We continue both negotiation and pressure. We are asking for the same number of licenses,” Clément Beaune told AFP.

France is still asking for “between 150 and 200 licenses” for fishing, he said.

The Minister of the Sea Annick Girardin blasted Thursday the lack of “cooperation” of the Channel Island of Jersey for the allocation of licenses and mentioned the possible compensation of French fishermen victims of Brexit, which was experienced as an admission of “defeat” by industry professionals.

Annick Girardin notably announced the preparation of “fleet exit plans” to compensate fishermen whose vessels would ultimately remain at the quayside.

“We keep all options open if the dialogue (with London and Jersey) does not bear fruit,” summed up the French Secretary of State for European Affairs.

Suspended sanctions

France had announced sanctions from November 1 against London and Jersey before suspending them pending the outcome of a series of discussions.

Clément Beaune must discuss once again with the British Secretary of State for Brexit, David Frost, “by the end of the weekend”. French President Emmanuel Macron also had talks at the end of October with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but the crisis is tending to get bogged down.

These sanctions, which included the non-access of British fishermen to French ports and reinforced controls on the flow of goods between the United Kingdom and France, are therefore still on the table, noted Clément Beaune.

“We have not set a dateline (deadline for discussions, editor’s note) because there is still a dialogue channel which is open but it is clear that in the coming days we will look at all the possible options”, a- he insisted.

“We are also exerting pressure on the European Commission so that the demands demanded of the British are more important, more firmly said,” added Clément Beaune, who will meet Monday in Brussels with Commission Vice-President in charge of Brexit, Maros Sefkovic.

With AFP