The French government announced on Wednesday 27 October that it would shortly present a series of measures that will hit the UK as early as next week, in response to the UK’s failure to comply with the fisheries chapter of the EU/UK trade and cooperation agreement.
Government spokesman Gabriel Attal explained after the council of ministers in the country that “almost 50% of the licences to which we are entitled” were missing under the agreement. “This is a situation that is not acceptable”, said Mr Attal.
The French government has been working on a list of measures and is preparing to release it shortly, unless the UK agrees to the French requests (see EUROPE 12820/8).
Two sets of measures are envisaged. The first, which would apply from 2 November, relates to British products imported and landed in French ports. It would consist in particular of systematic customs and health checks on imported products, a ban on the landing of seafood in French ports and checks on lorries, Gabriel Attal said.
The second set of energy measures concerns restrictions on the supply of electricity in the Channel Islands, including Jersey.
Reacting to the French threats, the spokesman for the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, estimated that 98% of the fishing licences had been granted. “We continue to work with the French government to grant more on the basis of the evidence they provide”, he added, citing a figure that differs greatly from that put forward by the French.
The European Commission is conducting negotiations on behalf of France on fishing licences in UK waters, but France has indicated that “its patience has reached its limit”. Hence the announcement of these national measures. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)