French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Tuesday called on Brussels to crack down on London over fishing rights for French fishermen.
Castex told Parliament he had “usurped” the presidency of the European Commission over the ongoing fisheries row between France and the UK, and urged Brussels to “do more” and be “tougher” on London.
“If that is not enough, we will refer the matter to the accord’s tribunal to get the British to honor their word (and) we will challenge any conditions for the more global implementation of the accords made under the aegis of the.” European Union, but also bilateral cooperation with the United Kingdom where appropriate,” he said.
The post-Brexit deal, signed at eleven o’clock on Christmas Eve, allows European fishermen to continue working in some UK waters provided they receive a license requiring them to prove they fished there before Brexit.
The Channel Island of Jersey said last week it had granted 64 permanent and 31 temporary licenses to French ships – compared to 169 requested by Paris – and rejected 75 applications. The day before, London granted 12 additional permits in its waters within the limit of 6 to 12 nautical miles from its coasts – less than a quarter of the 87 requested by France.
Castex’s comments came hours after France’s Europe Minister Clément Beaune warned that Paris and Brussels would “take action to put pressure on the UK” within days.
“For example, we can imagine that the Channel Islands and the UK are dependent on our energy supplies…” he told Radio Europe 1 without finishing his sentence, suggesting France could cut Jersey’s electricity supply.
This particular threat was made by French Minister of the Sea, Annick Girardin, back in May. She said last week France was preparing “retaliatory measures” for the small number of licenses granted to French ships.
Beaune warned that “our patience has a clear limit, that of despair and that of our fishermen”.
“We spoke calmly and kindly to one another for nine months. That’s enough,” he added.
French and EU lawmakers are expected to meet with the regional councils of Brittany, Hauts-de-France and Normandy on Wednesday, as well as the departmental councilors and mayors concerned.
Meanwhile, European fisheries ministers will meet in Luxembourg next week.
