I have just re-read Peter Ludlow’s latest EUROCOMMENT ‘Brexit centre stage at last’.
He provides a unique briefing on the gatherings of the EU Heads of State and Government. This looks at the meetings during October, November and December 2018.
I like EU fisheries policy. It is a strange affliction, but one which I have borne for decades. And, in all that time, fisheries has never really caught the eye of government leaders. Indeed, I doubt that fisheries have ever have had this much attention from Ambassadors and Heads of Government.
EU Leaders Learn About Fish
I’ll paraphrase the many discussions on fisheries.
The British argued that as fisheries were not included within the scope of the Customs Union. After they leave, their view is that would and should have a free hand to fix their own rules regarding access and quotas after the end of the transition period.
Just as non-UK fleets operate in UK waters, the UK fleet operates in non-UK (EU and other) waters.
Fishing in other countries waters is nothing new. In many cases, it’s been happening for centuries.
were going
At the start of Brexit, the UK government started saber rattling. They flagged expelling EU vessels from UK’s waters. This seems to have been kick started by elements of the UK/Scottish industry.
Pressure has grown since. There are now suggestions that the quota from UK fishing vessels should be removed on the grounds that the company is owned by EU citizens.
This has helped put fisheries high on the agenda of the EU 27 – UK talks.
The EU insisted that as the Union was a hugely important export market for British fish, it could and would exclude British fish exports to Europe if EU fleets were prevented from fishing freely in UK waters.
The differences between the two sides are larger than on this issue than on any other issue.
Indeed, EU leaders insist that reciprocal access and quota shares was a matter of priority and should be negotiated before the end of the transition period.
The UK fleet sells most of their catch to the EU market. EU ‘foreigners’ take a delight in seafood that the English pallet has no pleasure in.
The EU hold all the real cards in their hand.
What can be done?
The EU could try any of the following to bring ‘common sense’ to bear:
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Perform detailed health and paper work checks on any imports from the UK. French customs officials working to rule
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A recent House of Lords recent report paints a picture seeming non-existent compliance with the existing discards rules. A speedy EU IUU red-carding would stop exports to the EU.
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The EU’s Labour Authority could look into the UK’s fishing industry employment practices. Tagolog translators will be much in demand.
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And, if a blunter instrument is needed, a straight import ban could work.
I hope common sense will prevail, but I suspect that provincial pressure will stamp out rational solutions.