To calm the anger of the fishermen, particularly mobilized last week, the government opens its wallet.

The Minister of the Sea announced Monday to the fishermen of Boulogne-sur-Mer the release of an envelope of 100 million euros as part of a support plan for the post-Brexit fishing industry.

Accompanied by Secretary of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune, Annick Girardin also assured representatives of the sector that 21 new licenses, to allow French boats to fish in British waters, would soon be issued.

Aid "validated in recent hours by the European Commission, (...) is immediately available and will be settled, paid, before a maximum period of six months", assured the Minister at the end of a meeting of more than 2 hours 30 minutes with professionals.

Direct grants

According to the European Commission, the support plan provides for "direct subsidies" intended to deal in particular with "quota reductions provided for in the ACC (Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom)" and to "The impossibility of accessing British waters and the waters of other third countries". "We have understood (...) the distress, the exasperation of fishermen", while Brexit adds to "a year of difficulties" linked to Covid-19. "The State must be at the rendezvous of the accompaniment (...) of efficiency", continued Annick Girardin.

During the night from Thursday to Friday, more than a hundred fishermen gathered in Boulogne-sur-Mer, ready to block the trucks from the United Kingdom.

They denounced the significant delays in the implementation of the post-Brexit fisheries agreement concluded with the United Kingdom.

"We have agreed" with the European Commission "so that we use all possible levers" to apply the agreement, said Clément Beaune, referring to possible "retaliatory measures".

Olivier Leprêtre, president of the regional fisheries committee, for his part welcomed an "interesting" plan that will "keep your head above water".

Planet

Why do fishermen suggest stopping fishing in an area full of fish in the Bay of Biscay?

Politics

In the context of Brexit, France calls for rapid implementation of the fisheries agreement

  • European Commission

  • UK

  • Brexit

  • Boulogne-sur-mer

  • Peach

  • Society