PARIS – The French government yesterday announced measures to support fishermen and fishmongers, including up to €30,000 (RM148,417) in individual aid, after the European Union and Britain reached a post-Brexit trade agreement.
Access to the UK’s rich fishing waters was a major sticking point in the post-Brexit talks, and the deal sees EU fishing vessels steadily give up part of current quotas.
“Fishermen and wholesalers will be able to benefit from a flat-rate aid of up to €30,000 depending on their dependence on products caught in British waters,” said the French Fisheries Ministry in a statement.
“The government will soon present its complete plan to support French fishermen,” said Minister Annick Girardin.
The plan provides for compensation over a limited period for part of the turnover losses of companies dependent on British waters.
Other measures include investment aid under a recovery plan, and a “fleet exit plan” will be available for vessels dependent on British waters that want to stop activity.
Britain had insisted it wanted to take back full control of its waters, while EU coastal states sought guarantees their fleets could keep fishing in the said waters.
The two sides reached a compromise that will see European boats gradually relinquish 25% of their current quotas during a 5½-year transition period.
After that, there will be annual negotiations on the amount of fish EU vessels can take from British waters – and if Brussels is not satisfied, it can impose economic measures against the UK. – AFP, December 25, 2020
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