UK Grants Fishing Licences to French Boats After Brexit Standoff
London beat the EU’s 10 December deadline to licence French fishing boats under last year’s Brexit deal. The row nearly sparked legal action from Paris, but a breakthrough came after crunch talks between British and EU officials.
Licence Deal Brings Relief — But Tensions Remain
The UK handed out 18 licences to French vessels, while Jersey granted five more. The government said the decision was based on an “evidence-based approach” to ensure boats genuinely qualify to fish in British waters. A spokesperson hailed the move as one that “provides stability and ensures the sustainability of our fisheries.”
The EU welcomed the deal as “an important step in a long process” and confirmed it would license seven more French vessels by Monday.
French Anger Over Locked-Out Boats
But France had slammed London for leaving 104 French boats without licences, blocking them from fishing in UK and Channel Island waters. Under the Brexit pact, EU fishers can keep working in British waters only if they prove historic access.
Paris even threatened to take the UK to the European Commission. If the UK was found in breach, the EU could slap financial penalties or tariffs on British goods.
Protests and Future Fallout
Negotiations have already granted licences to 83 boats since late November, but French fishermen hit back last month by disrupting cross-Channel ferry and freight traffic. They warned the post-Brexit fishing fight wasn’t over — and their protests could escalate if fishing rights remain blocked.
