Fishermen forced to ‘buy back’ in UK waters after Brexit deal gets no full control back

Brexit: UK fishermen have to ‘buy back’ their fish says Tice

Chairman of Reform UK, Richard Tice, hit out at Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal which did not secure “full control” of fish in British waters. Speaking to Jonathan Saxty on Brexit Watch, Mr Tice said: “What he secured there is really not good at all and as is Boris’ style, he really glossed over the truth about that. The reality is that they got back about 23 percent of the quota but we haven’t taken back full control of the fish in our waters.

“If we want to increase that quota anymore then essentially we’ve got to buy back the fish that are swimming in our waters.

“That’s really serious.

“We’re going to continue to campaign.

“I think there are things that will need to be done.”

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An environment minister has acknowledged there is “work to be done” to overcome difficulties faced by the seafood industry in exporting to Europe post-Brexit.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble made his comments as he was confronted over the “sense of betrayal” felt by producers at the Government’s “broken promises” on fishing outside the EU.

In the face of sustained criticism at Westminster, the Tory frontbencher restated the commitment given by Prime Minister Boris Johnson that compensation would be given to businesses “that have suffered genuine loss through no fault of their own as a result of disruption and delays of seafood exports to Europe”.

Exports of fresh fish and seafood have been severely disrupted by delays since the UK’s transition period ended on December 31.

Brexit: Expert reveals possible ‘huge blow’ to fishermen

The new checks and paperwork have been causing massive delays for the industry since the UK left the European Union, with seafood producers growing increasingly frustrated at the lack of Government action.

It saw seafood hauliers stage a protest near 10 Downing Street in response to the issues they have faced in exporting to the EU, arguing that they are being “tied in knots with paperwork” under the Brexit fishing deal.

Tackling the minister in the House of Lords over the anger felt by business, Labour frontbencher Baroness Jones of Whitchurch said: “Does he understand the sense of betrayal they feel now the reality of the Government’s broken promises become apparent?

“They are furious that you have tried to present the agreement as a major success when it is patently clear it is not.”

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Pressed over compensation to make up for “this shambles”, Lord Gardiner said a £23 million support package would be available.

He also insisted the Brexit deal had secured “an uplift in quota” for the UK fishing industry.

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Teverson said: “I note the one area where Brexit could have been a real success and important to one of our important industrial sectors has been a complete failure in terms of its negotiation.”

Lord Gardiner said the Government has been working with industry and members states “to resolve issues with documentation”.

He told peers: “I think that there is work to be done this side of the Channel and with our neighbours to improve what have been some early problems that we need to resolve, and that is why officials are working with individual companies to ensure that the situation improves rapidly.”

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