'Forget the Dutch!' Fisherman says 'best thing' for fishing industry is NO DEAL Brexit
BRITISH fishermen have called for the UK to leave the European Union with no agreement and warned the Brussels bloc must not “mess” with Britain’s fishing industry.
Brexit: Best thing for fishing industry is 'no deal' says expert
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which allows European Union vessels access to UK fishing grounds and imposes strict quotas, has been ridiculed by British fishermen who blame the policy for decimating what was once a thriving national industry. The strict EU regulations mean that some British fishermen are forced to throw fish back into the sea. British fishermen have told pro-Brexit campaign group Leave Means Leave an exit in which Britain leaves on World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules would allow the industry to rebuild itself immediately after departing the EU.
We see Brexit as a once in a lifetime opportunity to restore control of our own waters
He said: “At the end day there were two parts of the referendum, Leave or Remain. Leave meant Leave. Don’t mess. We didn’t want any silly deals.
“Obviously, if they got a good deal all the better but we all voted to Leave didn’t we really? That’s what I think we should just get on with. Divorce ourselves from the EU and then say do you want to trade or not?”
David Pessell, Head of Plymouth Trawler Agents, warned the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) has been an “absolute disaster” for the UK fishing industry.
Mr Pessel added: “We see Brexit as a once in a lifetime opportunity to restore control of our own waters, look after a wonderful natural resource, and we will all benefit – particularly the British public.”
One vessel owner said a no deal Brexit would allow the UK fishing industry to control its own water is a “sustainable way”.
The fishing boss said: “WTO no deal would mean the fishing industry straight away start to rebuild the UK fishing industry and take back control of our waters.”
John, a lifelong trawlerman, also said: “We need to leave Europe with no deal so then we can start afresh. We can start fishing our water and then we can let in, to our areas, who we chose to.
“We’ve got to look after our own industry. We can’t be worrying about the French, the Spanish, the Belgians, the Dutch. They’ve got their own problems and we’ve got enough of our own problems.
“So let’s get out of this fiasco of Europe. And then start growing our fishing industry ourselves.”
Brexit: Maria Caulfield says 'ball is firmly in Brussels court'
British MEP Nathan Gill hit out at the EU this week for including proposals to grant member states continued access to British waters after Brexit as he pledged the UK "will not be bullied" into cooperating with the bloc.
Mr Gill addressed colleagues in the European Parliament over proposed plans to grant EU vessels access to UK waters after Brexit, reiterating the unwillingness of British fishermen to be "ordered around".
The British MEP said: "As the report says, we ‘may’ cooperate but why should we want to?
"You want to cooperate with people who see a mutual advantage, you cooperate with friends, with allies.
"You do not cooperate with people who order you around, tell you that you have no choice and, generally, behave more like bullies than comrades."