Eleven countries, including France, signed a joint statement on Monday (October 11) criticizing the UK’s decisions on fishing licenses after Brexit.. “UK response to fishing license applications is incomplete and inappropriate”, after a Council of European Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers in Luxembourg, expressed regret at the French Ministry of the Seas in a press release. According to this press release, in addition to France, Germany, Belgium, Cyprus, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden have signed the declaration.

After the Agrifishing Council, we signed a joint declaration with 10 European countries to encourage the UK to honor the Brexit deal. fishermen’s face should not be #brexit : We stand to defend them. #IWantMyLicensesBack pic.twitter.com/8PX8P90cbu

— Annick Girardin (@AnnickGirardin) 11 October 2021

A post-Brexit agreement between London and Brussels concluded at the end of 2020 provides that European fishermen can continue to operate in some British waters, subject to obtaining a licence, provided they can prove that He had caught fish there before. But the French and British debate the nature and extent of supporting documents to be provided. Among the fishing areas still disputed, London and Jersey have granted a total of over 200 fixed licenses, while Paris is still seeking 244.

“This joint declaration is an important step because only a collective response will allow the EU to peacefully consider continuing talks with our British partner.”, underlined Anick Girardin, Minister of the Seas, explaining that the aim is “Inspire Britain to honor Brexit deal”. He also argued that “European and French Responses to British Proposals” will be made public “During the second half of October” And “Probably will involve retaliatory measures”.