‘Find a way!’ Macron told to end fishing row as French election driving ‘belligerence’

Brexit: France and UK must 'learn to co-exist' says Deas

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The fishing agreement within Boris Johnson’s landmark Brexit trade deal was “bitterly disappointing”, according to the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO). Chief Executive Barrie Deas has claimed the upcoming French election is “presumably driving extreme language” from President Emmanuel Macron. Speaking to Express.co.uk, Mr Deas said: “I think this immediate issue should be dealt with at the technical level.

“It’s the artificial injection of politics, the French election presumably that’s driving this very extreme and belligerent language.

“In that sense, it’s got nothing to do with French fishing.

“When push comes to shove we share stocks and we share continuous waters with firms.

“We have to find a way to co-exist. The terms in which we co-exist is what it’s all about but I think there will be frictions.

“What makes it different is to what extent politicians use it for their own end.”

France’s minister for Europe has called on the European Union to take retaliatory measures against Britain if there is no resolution to the post-Brexit row over fishing licences by December 10.

The European Commission has said the dispute must be settled by that deadline as it upped the pressure on the UK in the negotiations.

Mr Deas noted these rows will “harm everybody”.

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He said: “It would impact us ultimately down to the vessel level. I think it would impact on everybody.

“There are businesses in France and the EU that are dependent on fish and shellfish from the UK for their existence.

“There would be harm all around.

“It’s quite interesting that voices have now been raised within the French industry expressing concern about the implications of that.

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“Then there is a threat to zero-tolerance enforcement and I suppose the scalloper who was arrested in Le Harve is an example of that.

“There was some kind of administrative slip-up. Something like that would have been dealt with by a phone call.

“Clearly our vessels fishing in French waters would be exposed but there are many, many more French vessels fishing in UK waters than UK vessels fishing in French waters.

“If we were going to go down that tit for tat rabbit hole then everybody would be harmed.”

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