Devon crab exporter in protest over fishing deal

ACRAB exporter from the Westcountry joined Scottish seafood lorries parked in central London yesterday as the industry protested against being “tied in knots with paperwork” by the Brexit fishing deal.

Footage showed a number of HGVs descending on roads near 10 Downing Street in response to the issues they have faced in exporting seafood to the EU.

A number of Scottish seafood companies, as well as a few English ones, lined up on roads near Parliament Square in protest.

Among those mounting the protest were lorries belonging to Dartmouth Crab Company, from South Devon. Exports of fresh fish and seafood have been severely disrupted by delays since the UK’s transition period ended on December 31.

Mark Moore from the Dartmouth Crab Company is among those taking part in the Whitehall protest against new Brexit trading arrangements.

Speaking to LBC’s James O’Brien yesterday the crab company owner said he had three lorries taking part in a protest in the centre of London.

“Yes the bulk of the fishing industry voted for Brexit but it’s the terms we have to work under now,” he admitted which he said were “so difficult.”

Mr Moore said the current situation was “almost unworkable.” Calling for change he told radio listeners the fishing industry was “spiralling downwards.”

The new checks and paperwork has been causing massive delays for the industry since the UK left the European Union, with seafood producers growing increasingly frustrated at the lack of government action.

Lorries transporting freshlycaught produce have been held up at distribution hubs and many have struggled to enter into France.

On Sunday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab echoed Environment Secretary and Camborne and Redruth MP George Eustice in claiming the delays were just “teething problems.”

Mr Raab added: “I’m not convinced that that is the result of the agreement.”

Some Scottish fishermen have taken to landing their catch in Denmark to avoid the “bureaucratic system” that exports to Europe now involve.

A spokesperson from DR Collin & Son, who were taking part in the protest, said: “The industry is being tied in knots with paperwork requirements which would be easy enough to navigate, given that companies have put in the time and training in order to have all the relevant procedures in place for 1st January 2021.

“However, all the training is going to waste as the technology is outdated and cannot cope with the demands being placed on it – which in turn is resulting in no produce being able to leave the UK.

“These are not ‘teething issues’ as reported by the Government, and the consequences of these problems will be catastrophic on the lives of fishermen, fishing towns and the shellfish industry as a whole.

“Action needs to be taken urgently to allow the procedures to be realigned in a manner which reflects the time restraints faced in the export of live shellfish to Europe.

“We are trying to adapt our business together with our customers with a view to come into line with the new regulations, however, noone is listening to our industry.”