The Conservative Fisheries Spokesman in the European Parliament, Ian Duncan, has described the approach of the Parliament’s Fisheries Committee to Brexit as fundamentally flawed.
The Conservative Fisheries Spokesman in the European Parliament, Ian Duncan, has described the approach of the Parliament’s Fisheries Committee to Brexit as fundamentally flawed.
In a meeting yesterday, members of the Fisheries Committee argued any future trade deal between the EU and the UK must guarantee EU access to British fishing waters. No trade deal brokered by the EU has included access to the fishing grounds of the other nation as a requirement. The Fisheries Committee have now put forward text making this a requirement.
In a letter to the Chair of the Fisheries Committee, Alain Cadec, Ian said: ‘I appreciate the urgency with which EU fishing nations need to address this matter. With certain EU fishing vessels catching upwards of 60% of their catch in UK waters, it is clear that there will be a significant adjustment in EU fishing operations. However, as with Norway and Iceland, access to UK waters can be facilitated through negotiations similar to those currently conducted between the EU and the northern nations. To begin the negotiations in such an unbalanced manner, puts at risk the very issue we both care deeply about.’
Ian said: ‘The Committee’s demand that single market access for UK fish products should be dependent on free access to UK territorial waters for EU boats is a nonsense. It is important to remember that the European Parliament will not negotiate Brexit and this kind of intervention is unhelpful. As we approach the negotiations, I will continue to fight for the best possible deal for Scottish fishermen.