‘Fishing at risk from Commons shutdown’

BORIS Johnson’s decision to shut down Parliament for five weeks threatens the future of Westcountry fishing communities, Plymouth Labour MP Luke Pollard claims.

MPs have been working on a new Fisheries Bill to create a legal framework for the fishing industry after Brexit. Cornish MP George Eustice steered the Bill through its committee stages at the end of 2018, but it has remained stalled ever since.

The Prime Minister has prorogued Parliament from the close of business on Monday, which means that all Bills not yet enacted into law will fall without special government intervention.

Mr Pollard, the shadow Fisheries Minister, said: “Fishing is the only industry that could be better off on day one of Brexit – but only if we have access to European markets and no extra taxes. The reality is turning out to be the exact opposite.

“People will feel betrayed by this government. They were used to win a referendum but now they are being hung out to dry by Boris Johnson.”

We have asked Defra, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for a response but they did not reply.

Mr Pollard said: “Tory ministers have said time and again – and they are right – that we need the Fisheries Bill. George Eustice was right to argue that this has to be in place in time for exit day. All our rules fall away unless they are replaced by this Bill – and there isn’t time enough to get it through by October 31.

“We risk it being a free-for-all and a confusing legal situation. This has the potential to be really damaging .”