Fishing rights remain a contentious issue as Brexit talks continue, with Britain lowering its demands on catches by EU fleets — but still far above Brussels’ recent offer.
As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier made a proposal to hand back 15-18% of fish caught in UK waters by EU fleets, a figure that could be worth up to €117 million to the British fishing industry.
But as the Guardian reports, Downing Street officials dismissed the offer as “derisory” while revising their demands to 60% from the previous 80%.
Barnier said today (Wednesday 2 December) that progress was being made on a number of key issues, including the UK’s demand for annual negotiations on catches.
Yet he is now under pressure from EU ambassadors not to rush into a deal that would be damaging to Europe’s fishing fleets. Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue stressed to Barnier at the weekend that “Ireland’s fishing industry needs a strong and stable EU/UK Fisheries agreement".
The Guardian has more on the story HERE.