The European Commission published a notice to stakeholders on Monday 9 April setting out the legal repercussions for fisheries of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU with effect from 30 March 2019.
The document makes clear the legal implications in these sectors of the UK’s becoming a third country for fisheries and aquaculture operators. “Subject to any transitional arrangement that may be contained in a possible withdrawal agreement, as of the withdrawal date, the common fisheries policy rules (CFP) no longer apply to the United Kingdom”, the notice states.
It goes on to list the consequences for control and enforcement (access for EU vessels to third country waters, access for third country vessels to EU waters), landings of products (rules on access to ports) and the import and export of products (catch certification system, information provided to consumers and labelling) and professional organisations (UK organisations will no longer be recognised under EU law).
Transition period. In line with the guidelines for fisheries given by the European Council of 22 and 23 March 2018, the status quo will prevail until the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 (EUROPE 11988).
EU fishermen will, thus, continue to be able to fish in UK waters and, similarly, UK fishermen will have access to EU waters. Trade in fisheries products will continue unchanged during the transition period. Ultimately, the United Kingdom will take back full sovereignty over its waters with effect from 1 January 2021 at which date long-term relations between the two parties will be redefined. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)