FISHERMAN'S FRIENDS
EU boats could have to PAY to access Britain’s fishing waters from next year, environment minister warns
THE ENVIRONMENT minister has refused to rule out EU boats paying to access Britain’s fishing waters after Brexit.
Speaking to MPs this morning, George Eustice opened the door to Brussels paying for continued access to our waters, following in the footsteps of Greenland.
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His comments came during a meeting of the EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee, where the minister told the Bloc to prepare for big changes.
With the two sides in a furious spat over Britain’s fishing waters, the Camborne and Redruth MP was asked if he had considered a “financial arrangement” to break the deadlock.
He said: “We have as an independent coastal state, and given the resources in our waters, we do have a very strong hand.
“Controlling access to our waters is a very powerful card.
“In a very British way, we will play that hand in a gracious and diplomatic fashion as we always do.”
Mr Eustice also confirmed that the EU will lose access to UK fishing waters, but was optimistic a deal could be reached with the bloc by July.
He said: “If it were the case that a partnership agreement could not be agreed by July then it would be under international law the case in any event that we would automatically become an independent coastal state.
“When we leave the EU we will take full control of that resource. It will be for us to decide who can access our waters and on what terms.”
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This week ministers were warned there was a "very realistic chance" that ports could be blockaded by EU fishing fleets if no agreement is made.
Mr Eustice explained part of preventing this would be an expanded fleet of fishing police and air surveillance to keep foreign boats away if needed.
The minister explained: “We already have enforcement in our waters, the EU doesn’t have any enforcement capabilities.
“We have significantly increased our enforcement capabilities.”
This included three new off-shore vessels, 50 new protectionist officers, a new joint maritime control centre, as well as even more boats from the private sector.
France's Europe minister Amelie de Montchalin warned last week a deal could fall apart over fishing.
She added: "On fish and other topics, all we play it with emotion, with drama, with passion, with symbols and we know how to make it a very I think nasty battle."
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