First modification:
Fishermen staged blockades of British boat traffic in ports and truck access through the Eurotunnel. With these measures they seek to pressure to resolve disputes over fishing licenses in British waters.
This Friday, French fishermen blocked the entry of British ships to the ports of the English Channel – and also in Saint-Malo – and the access of cargo trucks in the Eurotunnel that crosses that sea lane. These short-lived actions served as methods of pressure to resolve disputes over the fishing licenses granted by the United Kingdom, after Brexit.
The main tense point started because the British government has not granted any more licenses to fish in UK waters and, they allege, several of their requests have been rejected, accusations London dismisses.
The anger of the workers was also manifested against the French government for not taking measures to defend this sector that is important for both countries.
Before the United Kingdom left the European Union, French fishermen could fish in British waters without problems, but now it is required to carry a special license to enter certain areas.
Although the majority of French ships have received the special permits, the dispute is now reduced to a group of people who have not obtained the British endorsement.
The nature and scope of the license has also been a subject of discussion for French and British fishermen, claiming that the measure is very recent, as it arose after the Brexit agreement, signed at the end of 2020 between London and Brussels. .
This is the case of the fisherman Stéphane Ramet, who had been working since 1987 and who was denied a license by the British. “I’ve been fighting for this profession all my life. We want to be able to access the zone from 10 to 19 kilometers, as we have always done, “he claimed.
France claims more than 150 fishing licenses from the UK
According to the French Ministry of the Sea, since January 1, 2021, France has obtained more than 960 licenses in British waters and the Channel Islands; however, Paris continues to claim more than 150 licenses.
The blockade began in the morning in the ports of Saint-Malo and later in Calais, while in the afternoon it culminated in the interruption of the access of freight trucks to the cargo terminal of the Channel Tunnel for about two hours.
Although it was brief, the measure caused a significant traffic jam of more than a hundred trucks at the entrance of the tunnel, through which 25% of the trade between the United Kingdom and Europe passes.
“It is a bit of pressure on Europe. I am one of the privileged people who obtained the license early enough, but the comrades are not going to let themselves die, and we are not going to leave them in the dark,” stressed one of the protesters.
Last week, in an effort to resolve tensions in the fisheries dispute, French Sea Minister Annick Girardin announced that she was working on a compensation plan for fishermen who had to cease their activity due to the absence of a license. However, the French fisheries committees decided to take matters into their own hands.
“The British have access to the European market, while we do not have access to British waters. This is not normal, the British government must respect the agreement,” said Olivier Lepretre, chairman of the regional fisheries committee, who also added that ” this is a symbolic action, but if it continues we will show more teeth. “
Despite the blockade and the disappointments of the day, some French fishermen said they were comforted by the support of President Emmanuel Macron and the maritime minister, expressed last Sunday. The politicians assured that “they will fight to the end to defend their interests.”
With AP and Reuters
.