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The Government of France published this Wednesday, October 27, a list of sanctions, which could come into force as of November 2, targeting United Kingdom fishing vessels and imports, in response to a dispute between the two nations over the concession of fishing licenses in British waters emerged after Brexit.
Tension increases between Paris and London due to the conflict related to the issuance of licenses so that European fishermen, in this case the French, can fish in British territorial waters, to which they had access before the United Kingdom left the Union European.
Last month, France opposed the decision of the United Kingdom and the Channel Island of Jersey (located 22 kilometers off the French coast) to reject dozens of licenses for French fishing boats to operate in their waters.
The French dismissed the measure as “unacceptable” and, in retaliation, announced that they will apply various sanctions and toughen some measures from 2 November if they do not reach an agreement with the United Kingdom and Jersey, which is a dependency of the British Crown.
Among the announced actions, British fishing vessels will be prohibited from landing in designated French ports, security checks on British vessels will be systematic, sanitary and customs checks on British imports will also be strengthened, as will checks on trucks that They travel to and from the UK.
For his part, the British Government spokesman denounced “disappointing and disproportionate threats”, describing them as unexpected by a close ally and partner.
In addition, the Brexit minister, David Frost, assured that there was no formal communication from the French Government on the matter. “It is very disappointing that France has found it necessary to make late-night threats against the British fishing industry and, apparently, traders in general,” said Frost through his Twitter account.
French Government: “Our patience has reached the limit”
The unresolved conflict over fishing licenses has been an explosive issue in recent weeks between Paris and London, despite the fact that the non-granting of the licenses requested by France affects only a small percentage of the commercial exchange between the two parties. .
But, even if they are not large numbers, for France the attitude of its neighbor is inconceivable and considers that the restrictions are contrary to the post-Brexit agreement that the United Kingdom signed when it left the European Union.
“The Government has established a list of the licenses to which we are entitled. We have worked with the British, we gave them all the data, documents and information requested to support these requests. Today we see that we are missing around 50% of the licenses to those that we have the right to. This situation is unacceptable, and I will say it very clearly, today our patience has reached the limit, “said Gabriel Attal, spokesman for the French Government, during a press conference at the Elysee.
In response, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman assured that additional permits have been issued in recent weeks and that “98% of fishing licenses have been granted.”
The British spokesman added that his country’s authorities continue to work with the French government to grant more licenses “on the basis of the evidence provided.”
To the list of sanctions published this Wednesday, October 27 by France is added its intention to tighten the measures aimed at supplying energy to the British Isles in the English Channel, which are closer to the French coast and which depend to a great extent of electricity supplied by the French network.
With Reuters, AP and AFP
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