Brexit Deal Sparks Outrage Over 12-Year Fishing Access Deal

Strategic Insights -

The UK government's decision to agree a 12-year deal on fishing access for EU boats in UK waters has been met with widespread criticism from Scottish fishermen and politicians. The deal, which will last until 2038, effectively hands over control of UK waters to the EU for a decade and a half. Conservative MP Harriet Cross has called it "one of the biggest acts of betrayal" that the fishing industry has seen in Scotland, while Scotland's External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson has criticized the UK government for not involving the Scottish Government in negotiations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 12-year deal on fishing access for EU boats in UK waters has been criticized by Scottish fishermen and politicians, with Conservative MP Harriet Cross calling it "one of the biggest acts of betrayal" the industry has seen.
  • The deal will last until 2038 and effectively hands over control of UK waters to the EU for a decade and a half.
  • The agreement is a rollover of the existing terms, with the EU's share of fish quotas in British waters remaining unchanged.
  • Scottish fishermen had called for annual negotiations on fishing rights, which will no longer take place under the multi-year deal.
  • The UK government has been accused of ignoring the Scottish Government in negotiations, with External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson criticizing the lack of transparency.

Statistics:

  • The EU's share of fish quotas in British waters will remain unchanged at 25%, following the trade agreement struck with the UK in 2020.
  • The 12-year deal will last until 2038.
  • 2026 marks the end of the initial trade agreement, after which annual negotiations were due to take place on fishing rights.

Sources:

  • "EU leaders to announce new Brexit deal, including fishing access deal" - Reuters (no date given)
  • "Scottish fishermen vow to fight for better deal of fishing rights" - BBC News (no date given)
  • "Leader of the opposition says UK should not be handing over its fishing waters" - The Guardian (no date given)