British Brexit negotiators have told the European Union that a new fisheries agreement cannot be part of a post-Brexit free trade agreement with Brussels during divisive talks this week.
The UK will rebuff EU demands that the fisheries agreement, which both sides pledged to do their best to seal by July, be subject to the same governance mechanism that would police and enforce commitments in the free trade agreement.
British officials have submitted a legal negotiating text setting out its vision for a Norway style fishing agreement with catch limits agreed on an annual basis.
Following this, the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier accused the UK of wasting time after the last round of talks ended in frustration with no agreements being made.
However, a British official has said: “Our position on fish is reasonable and straightforward. We want a separate fisheries framework agreement which reflects our rights under international law and which provides for access and sharing opportunities based on the scientific principle of zonal attachment, with sustainability at its core.”
The EU has warned Brussels will not agree to a free trade deal without a fisheries agreement on the table. Mr Barnier is also firm on the position that any fishing agreement cannot be renegotiated every year and must be for the long-term.
The EU has demanded continued reciprocal access to UK waters under “existing conditions”. UK sources close to the negotiations have rejected that as simply continuing the Common Fisheries Policy.
“The Political Declaration clearly sets out that an agreement on fish should be in force by July – just over two months away,
“Yet the EU continues to push for one single overarching agreement, despite that clearly being at odds with the Political Declaration, which envisages a separate agreement on fisheries.” a UK spokesman said.
EU sources have claimed that the Political Declaration was clear the fisheries deal would be part of an overarching economic partnership.
The Prime Minister has so far insisted that the transition period will not be extended under any circumstances, failure to reach a deal with the EU would mean that the UK and EU would go to trading WTO terms according to the Withdrawal Agreement, an extension of up to two years can only be asked for until July.
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Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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