We’ll take back our fishing rights – but EU will get access
BRITAIN will take back control of its waters from the day it leaves the European Union, Chancellor Philip Hammond has pledged.
He yesterday gave a firm commitment that the UK will become ‘an independent coastal state’ as soon as Brexit formally takes place next year.
It comes after Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson and Environment Secretary Michael Gove united to call for Britain to leave the hated Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) as soon as we leave the EU.
Mr Hammond’s pledge won praise from the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, even though he admitted a deal would need to be agreed allowing some access to British waters for European fishermen.
Speaking on ITV’s Peston On Sunday programme, the Chancellor said: ‘We will take back control of our waters.
‘It’s up to us to decide whether we would let European fishermen into our waters, and on what terms.
‘Our commitment is that we will ensure the prosperity of our coastal communities. That means making sure that British fishermen get a better deal in the future than the one they’ve had in the past.
‘But that may well involve wanting to negotiate with the European Union reciprocal access rights. It will certainly involve negotiating shared arrangements on management of fishing stock.’
During the EU referendum, Miss Davidson was one of the most prominent supporters of the Remain campaign, while Mr Gove was a senior figure in the Leave campaign.
But in a joint article yesterday they wrote: ‘It is vital that we regain control over our own fisheries management. We want to use the opportunity of Brexit to secure a sustainable marine environment for the next generation.
‘As proud Scots, we feel a particular debt to fishing communities who are looking to Government to deliver a better deal for them.
‘We agree we must deliver a fairer allocation for the British fleet in our own waters.’
They say they are united in their determination to ensure ‘Brexit delivers for Britain’s fishing communities’.
They added: ‘The Prime Minister has been clear: Britain will leave the CFP as of March 2019. We both support her wholeheartedly.’
It follows the publication of draft guidelines for the EU side of Brexit trade talks, which seek ‘existing reciprocal access to fishing waters’.
Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong said: ‘The Government must reject out of hand the EU’s stated intention to deny the UK control of its own seas. Fishermen have been forced to give away too much of the fish in our waters for too long – these days are over.’
Meanwhile, UK ministers will today press ahead with changes to the EU Withdrawal Bill – despite failing to secure the support of the SNP.
The Government has named 24 devolved policy areas where it wishes to retain power temporarily after Britain’s exit from the bloc, to allow for UK-wide common frameworks to be set. These include agriculture and fisheries.
Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington said: ‘Our amendments respect and strengthen the devolution settlements across the UK but still allow the UK Government to protect the vitally important UK common market.’
But SNP Brexit Minister Michael Russell said the move ‘confirms the biggest power grab attempt on devolution since the establishment of the Scottish parliament’.
‘Forced to give away too much’