While traveling to Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais, the Prime Minister promised that French fishing would not be “sacrificed” on the altar of post-Brexit trade negotiations.
Jean Castex was this Thursday, December 3 traveling to Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais, to meet fishermen worried about the consequences of Brexit, while the negotiations are still stumbling one month from the end of the transition period. The Prime Minister came to check the preparations for this change, which will take place whatever happens on January 1, 2021, whether or not a trade agreement is found between the European Union and London.
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«We obviously hope to obtain an agreement under the best possible conditions, but not under any conditions. And certainly not under conditions where fishing would be sacrificed as an adjustment variable», Hammered the Prime Minister in front of representatives of the sector (fishermen, industrialists, carriers …).
This visit comes at a time when the process seems to be accelerating: the European negotiator, Michel Barnier, told member states on Wednesday that the next hours of discussions would be decisive, while Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, spoke said “optimistic” on the chances of success. However, fishing, and therefore access to British waters full of fish, is one of the main bones of contention.
Read also :Fishing, a “major bone of contention” in post-Brexit discussions
«A new era is about to begin. I want there to be a specific support plan“, Declared Jean Castex, assuring the representatives of the sector (fishermen, industrialists, transporters …) gathered in a round table that”the state will take its responsibilities“. Jean Castex also asked the prefects “to ensure, given the circumstances, that specific actions of the recovery plan are intended“To the fishing industry, for their”projects“Future or their”reconversion».
For the French, fishing in British waters represents around 20% of fishing activity in the Atlantic – Channel – North Sea, or some 180 million euros. The impact of a “no deal”, which would also mean re-establishing customs duties according to a World Trade Organization tariff schedule, is still difficult to measure. But, for lack of certainty, it is still “A little early” to talk about possible aid to the sector, underlines Matignon, recalling that the European Commission has provided a fund to help the sectors most affected by Brexit.
Streamline traffic
The Prime Minister, who then went to Calais to the Eurotunnel site and then to the commercial port, also came to check the preparations before the changeover, while the government claims the recruitment of 1,700 customs officers, veterinarians, the police … Thus, Jean Castex announced the arrival of twenty more agents in Boulogne-sur-Mer in order to operate 24 hours a day the veterinary inspection service of this city (Sivep) intended to process seafood arriving from Great Britain.
Hauts-de-France obviously concentrates most of the issues, since 70% of trade between the European Union and the United Kingdom passes through there, at the rate of 12,000 heavy goods vehicles, 13,000 cars and 60,000 passengers per day.
The authorities expect, for example, that the screening of a passenger from Great Britain will drop from 20 seconds today to more than a minute in the event of the most thorough checks. With a challenge: to reduce truck queues as much as possible, while ensuring the smooth operation of customs clearance points and security and health checks. For heavy goods vehicles, in the event of congestion, 6,000 parking spaces are available on the French coast.
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