Macron ‘failure’ leaves French fishermen ‘exasperated’ – plot readied after ‘betrayal’

Brexit: Fishing industry was 'sacrificed' by government says Deas

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In spite of the UK issuing a number of licences to French vessels, many fishermen are still disillusioned by the lack of action by Mr Macron in pushing London for more licences. CRPMEM, the regional association of sea fishing in France said of the outcome: “Far from satisfying the sector, this news exasperates the fishermen of northern France, who feel that they are, at the same time, betrayed by the British government and abandoned by the European Commission.”

French fishermen have rejected Britain’s approval of more fishing licences as insufficient and promised new protests to disrupt traffic in Channel ports.

These measures follow numerous threats by Mr Macron to sanction the UK, tariff British goods, and cut electricity supplies to Britain- actions the French fishermen believe have not been acted upon.

New blockades in northern France would disrupt trade in both directions, preventing ships and lorries from delivering goods to British ports in the next couple of weeks.

Oliver Lepretre, head representative of of the northern France’s fisheries committee, has warned British shoppers could face Christmas shortages unless the row is resolved.

He said skippers had been “betrayed by the British Government” and “abandoned” by European officials.

He said: “Fishermen are more united than ever; they do not intend to see themselves being taken advantage of in the face of such bad faith.”

The European Commission and the French government signalled satisfaction with the result of an intensive fortnight of negotiations as the UK and Channel Islands governments agreed to issue 83 more operating licences before an EU deadline.

This infuriated the French fishermen.

Taking to Twitter to condemn Mr Macron, Ella Kelian, who writes the blog Crazy Word, supported the French Fishermen.

She claims Macron’s ideology “shows pathological weakness”.

Speaking of numerous perceived failures by the President, Twitter user Jean Bambois said: “Macron anticipates the defeat of the French fishermen, he lost against the English, the Australians, the Americans, the Russians, the Afghans, the Algerians, and so on and the best!”

He added: “He has never won a diplomatic victory and some will still vote for him!”

Also saying Macron has let down the fishing industry, one French official from the Vendee region in France said: “Emmanuel Macron gives in to the British and let’s go of the French fishermen.

He adds: “An economic fault and a diplomatic failure. Once again, our country is humiliated.”

It is why French fishermen are planning a new series of efforts to disrupt the Channel and cause the Elysee Palace to take notice.

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France believes it is entitled to around 80 more UK licences and a group representing fishermen in the key port of Boulogne-sur-Mer and others along the northern coast said late Saturday that they would launch protests.

The CRPMEM representing the fishermen said: “Protests should be expected … protests that will target British imports.”

The group said the protests would be “in line with blockades of ports in Brittany, Normandy and the north of France which took place on November 26”.

Fishing boats briefly blocked ferries and other boats in Calais, Saint-Malo and Ouistreham on that day, while vehicles were also sent to disrupt traffic seeking to use the Channel Tunnel rail link.

France and Britain have clashed repeatedly this year on overfishing as well as migrants crossing the Channel, post-Brexit trade arrangements and the sale of submarines to Australia.

London briefly deployed two gunboats in May when dozens of French trawlers massed off the Channel Island of Jersey to protest the licensing problems, prompting France to send two coastal patrol vessels.

With Mr Macron poised to face off in a tight Presidential election early next year, the pressure is on for the incumbent to turn the situation into a vote-winning exercise.

However, his continual failures have left the French electorate facing the prospect of a right-wing Government led by Marine Le Pen or Eric Zemmour, or the potential of a new centre-right leader in the form of Valérie Pécresse

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