French fisher men to block Channel amid Brexit row
What appalling timing! After migrant boat tragedy, now...
Militant French fishermen will launch an extraordinary blockade of the Channel today in a bid to win more post-Brexit fishing licences.
Just two days after 27 migrants drowned in their waters, the country’s powerful fishing union said it would stop freight traffic from entering the Channel tunnel and shut off access to three major ports.
the demonstration, described as a ‘warning shot’ to Britain, will target the ports of Calais, Saint Malo and Ouistreham as well as the motorway leading to the tunnel for ‘several hours’. Downing Street last night said it was disappointed with the decision and could not rule out whether supply chains to the UK would be affected.
However the Prime Minister’s spokesman said supply chains were ‘incredibly resilient’ and contingency plans were ‘in place’.
tory MP tim loughton said: ‘the timing of this latest blockade is particularly insensitive given the recent death toll in French waters.
‘But the French default position is all too often about taking the law into their own hands when they do not like what has been agreed.
‘they would do better protesting outside the French parliament where they signed up to a Brexit fishing agreement which gave them the lion’s share – some 44 per cent of all licences to fish in British waters. now they want even more.’
He added: ‘they should be thanking the British Government for our generosity – not trying to stick it to British fishermen who have sacrificed a lot.’
the UK has so far issued around 1,700 EU vessels with licenses but French fishermen say that 237 applications are still pending to work in British waters and off Jersey and Guernsey. British officials have insisted they are complying with the Brexit trade and Cooperation agreement that allows EU fishermen to continuing working in UK waters.
French president Emmanuel Macron and fishing bodies have warned of a trade war with the UK over claims that the Government has allegedly withheld permits from skippers under the Brexit deal.
the demonstrations were yesterday signed off by the French national fisheries committee (CnPMEM) and regional associations in Brittany, normandy and Hauts-de-France.
the associations accused the UK of ‘blocking’ negotiations to end the months-long row.
they added that the mobilisation would be ‘symbolic and non-violent’ – but warned that further action would be sanctioned unless the UK recognised the ‘wake-up call’.
Speaking at a press conference to announce the plans, CnPMEM chairman Gerard Romiti said: ‘We don’t want handouts, we just want our licenses back.
‘the UK must abide by the postBrexit deal. too many fishermen are still in the dark.’
‘We have been waiting with bated breath for 11 months. the patience of professionals has limits. We hope this warning shot will be heard.’
Mr Macron has previously threatened to stop British boats from landing in French ports and this week dispatched ministers to Brussels as part of his crusade to see the UK punished.
But he was left red-faced when Belgium refused to back him, dismissing Paris’s calls to trigger sanctions set out in last year’s trade deal.
Senior EU diplomats have accused Mr Macron, who is seeking re-election in april, of using the fishing dispute for political purposes.
it is not the first time French fishermen have taken matters into their own hands. in april, they blocked trucks taking fish from British waters to processing centres in France.
Weeks later, the Royal navy dispatched two patrol boats when French boats blockaded the Saint Helier harbour in Jersey. it forced French crews to back down.
‘Warning shot will be heard’