UK-EU SUMMIT: FISHERIES APPG TO MEET TO SCRUTINISE FISHERIES AND RELATED DEALS

UK-EU Summit: Fisheries APPG to meet to scrutinise fisheries and related deals. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fisheries will meet today 20 May, to scrutinise all aspects of the UK-EU deal on fisheries, outlined today as part of the UK-EU Summit in London. 

The APPG has been collating priorities for future UK-EU fishing arrangements since January, ahead of next year’s expiration of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement’s (TCA) adjustment period on fisheries. With the Government promising to secure the ‘best possible outcome’ for UK fishermen and women, the UK’s fishing industry was clear on their ask – that fishing would not again be made a totemic issue, to be traded against other areas.

As clearly set out in the APPG’s 2022 report, the original Brexit deal on fisheries was poorly perceived by industry for failing to live up to Government promises, quota gains that fell short of expectations, and continued access for EU vessels to UK waters. The impacts of that deal were felt at sea and on land.

From the perspective of the industry, the expiration of the adjustment period on fisheries presented an opportunity to rebalance what was felt as a poor deal on fisheries, with access to the UK’s rich waters a key point of leverage to achieving this. For businesses exporting to the EU, frictionless trade was cited as paramount. Safeguarding sustainable management of fisheries, including of non quotas species like scallops and crab were also cited as crucial.

Amidst confirmation of a twelve year deal on fisheries access, the APPG will be scrutinising the details of agreements announced today, and their implications for the long term sustainability of the UK’s fishing communities and fisheries, alongside the wider seafood sector.

As part of this, the APPG will be scrutinising the SPS deal which promises to reduce red tape for UK seafood businesses exporting to the EU and reopen key markets for live shellfish. APPG Members will also be pressing for details of supports to industry in the face of any agreed arrangements, including relating to the £360 million Fishing & Coastal Growth Fund announced today.

APPG Co-Chair Alistair Carmichael MP said:

“A twelve year deal on fisheries indicates that fishing has once again been treated as a second class concern and is deeply disappointing. With the expiry of the fisheries deal adjustment period there was an opportunity to revisit and undo some of the difficulties of the Brexit deal.

“Indications that fishing has been traded for a deal in another area does a huge disservice again to the communities around our coasts. If there is a silver lining for fishermen it will be in easements for trade and stability for key export markets – but that is still far from the ‘sea of opportunity’ that was promised in the past. The APPG will be scrutinising the details and will continue to work in support of a viable future fishing industry.”

APPG Co-Chair Melanie Onn MP said:

“The impact of Brexit has been significant for the UK’s fishing and seafood sectors – affecting fleets and also trade with the EU, our largest trading partner. I’ve seen this first hand in my own constituency of Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, where around 6000 livelihoods are supported by processing. We welcome the improved opportunities for trade with the EU that the SPS deal announced today will enable by making it easier for producers to sell British fish to our largest trading partner.

“While sadly weighed against other objectives time and again, the fishing and seafood sectors are vitally important all around the coast of this nation, providing livelihoods, sustaining families and communities. In the face of this, since 2020 the sector has continued to work to provide nutritious food to markets. With full details, the APPG will be meeting tomorrow to discuss an updated plan of work to support the continued efforts of the catching, processing and related sectors in this, and to safeguard the future for the UK’s fleets, seafood businesses, and coastal communities.”

Image credit: www.fisheriesappg.org