Between satisfaction and desolation … The reactions to trade agreement found Thursday, December 24 by European and British negotiators as part of the Brexi reflect the expectations of both parties on this issue: divergent. And the many points that remain to be clarified will probably not help matters.
“Europe held on”
Despite everything, a “deal” is now sealed: European fishermen will be able to continue working in the British waters. Relief for Dimitri Rogoff, president of the Normandy fisheries committee, like most of the elected professionals and policies : Europe held on. We have a global agreement that applies to all the countries of the Union. It is much better than a no deal.
But the Europeans will have, gradually over five years, to retrocede to the English 25% of the value of the catches (currently nearly 650 million euros) in their waters. With a “review” clause set for June 30, 2026 to negotiate the rest.
See you in five years
No other economic sector has to support such a clause. It is inadmissible and deprives all visibility of fishing and the entire industry
, deplores the director of the French National Committee for Maritime Fisheries and Marine Breeding. For Hubert Carré, as for several of his European counterparts, the agreement augurs gloomy prospects.
In five and a half years, our fishermen risk not only losing their fishing grounds, but also more quotas
, fears for example Johan K. Nooitgedagt, president of the Dutch professional organization Vissersbond. Because the agreement signed on Christmas Eve provides that after 2026, negotiations will be annual.
Another worry also torments those who had ended up hoping for a no deal. With this last-minute agreement, British fishermen can indeed continue to frequent European waters …
“This agreement really only suits the deep-sea fishermen”
For coastal fishermen, this agreement is void! exclaims Mickaël Hubert which tracks the Saint-Jacques from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue (Manche). The British will continue to come and devastate the funds in the 12 to 20 mile strip of the Normandy coast.
At the risk of provoking a new “shell war”, as in 2019. This deal only really works for deep sea fishermen
, he concludes.
It also arranges the wholesalers who see it as a guarantee of access to the resource. The British can continue to export to the European Union, welcomes Boulonnais Olivier Leprêtre, president of the Hauts-de-France regional fisheries committee. The leading European seafood processing center will be able to continue working.
A satisfaction shared by the place of Lorient, which receives around 5,000 tonnes of British fish each year, roughly one-fifth of the volumes put on the market.
Often referred to as a lose-lose, the deal Christmas is still too vague to know who will lose the most. Its impact will probably vary greatly depending on the profession, region and use.
“A comprehensive support plan”
This is why, from Thursday evening 24, the Minister of the Sea announced a battery of measures, in the short, medium and long term, to support the transition in the sector. The government will present a comprehensive plan very soon
, assured Annick Girardin.
Because from the 1is January, the soap opera continues. While European fishermen will discover the way they are welcomed in British waters and ports, Brussels and London will have to work together on shared quotas for 2021. Quotas that environmental organizations are obviously calling for to reduce …
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