Fishing rights row: French threats disappointing, says Frost

The row began after the UK and Jersey rejected dozens of licences for French boats to fish in their waters

The UK has said threats to block British boats from French ports in a dispute over fishing rights are a breach of international law and trade agreements.

France said if there is no agreement by 2 November it will also tighten checks on UK boats and trucks, and could target Channel Island energy supplies.

Brexit Minister Lord Frost said the stance was "disappointing".

He said the UK was seeking "urgent clarification" of France's plans.

France was angered by a decision from the UK and Jersey last month to deny fishing licences to dozens of French boats, and argued that it breached the Brexit deal.

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On Wednesday it issued its ultimatum, saying it would begin to impose "targeted measures" from Tuesday of next week, including:

• Preventing British fishing boats from disembarking at ports

• Increasing border and sanitary checks on UK goods

• Tightening security checks on British boats

• Increasing checks on trucks going to and from the UK

France said it was also preparing further sanctions, which could include cutting electricity supplies to Jersey, as it previously threatened in May.

"The French state will continue to support its fisheries industry," the government said, adding that it expects answers from the UK "in the next few days".

On Wednesday French maritime minister Annick Girardin tweeted that two English ships had been fined during checks off Le Havre.

She said the first did not comply "spontaneously" while the second, which did not have a licence to fish in French waters, was diverted to the quayside and "handed over to the judicial authority".

Speaking before the news of the two vessels being stopped, Brexit minister Lord Frost said: "It is very disappointing that France has felt it necessary to make threats late this evening against the UK fishing industry and seemingly traders more broadly.

"As we have had no formal communication from the French government on this matter we will be seeking urgent clarification of their plans. We will consider what further action is necessary in that light."

Downing Street said the "disappointing and disproportionate" threat of sanctions was "not what we would expect from a close ally and partner".

"The measures being threatened do not appear to be compatible with the Trade and Co-operation Agreement and wider international law, and, if carried through, will be met with an appropriate and calibrated response," a spokeswoman said.

She said that the UK will raise concerns with both the EU and French government, arguing that it had granted 98% of licence applications from European boats.

The UK maintains the rejected applications which sparked the row did not have enough supporting evidence to show they had a history of fishing in Britain's or Jersey's waters.

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