December 25. British media reported that Britain and Europe have reached a trade agreement, but the fishing arrangements are still dissatisfied with the British fishing industry.
According to British Reuters news on the 25th, British Prime Minister Johnson stated on Thursday (24th) that the UK agreed to give EU fishing boats a five-and-a-half-year transition period to continue operating in British waters.
Johnson said that this is a reasonable arrangement. Although the time is longer than the three years that the UK hopes, it is far less than the 14 years originally required by the EU.
In this regard, the British fishermen’s organization believes that the scope of EU fishing boats allowed to fish in British waters has not been reduced enough.
Barrie Deas, chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organizations in the United Kingdom, said that the trade agreement allows EU fishing vessels to continue fishing in 6 nautical miles offshore the UK, while the industry originally proposed to set the range at 12 nautical miles. Diaz pointed out that the terms of the agreement were perfunctory, which made the industry “very disappointed.”
Supporters of Brexit say that fisheries are a symbol of sovereignty, and fishing grounds in British waters should mainly serve British fishermen.
At present, the European Union has tried to ensure that vessels from member countries such as France and the Netherlands continue to enter British fishing grounds.
