Brexit: EU ‘run rings around UK on fisheries’ says expert

The fishermen, who travelled from Scotland to protest outside the Prime Minister’s office, claimed the Brexit conditions made it almost impossible to trade in the European Union. They plastered signs across their lorries with slogans like “Brexit carnage” and “Incompetent government destroying shellfish industry!”

A spokesperson from DR Collin & Son, who were taking part in the demonstration, said fisheries were being “tied in knots” with administrative demands.

He said: “We have been asked to take part in a peaceful protest with another 20-plus Shellfish Exporters from around the whole of the UK in connection with the current difficulties that the seafood industry is facing due to the new Brexit regulations.

“The industry is being tied in knots with paperwork requirements which would be easy enough to navigate, given that companies have put in the time and training in order to have all the relevant procedures in place for January 1, 2021.

“However, all the training is going to waste as the technology is outdated and cannot cope with the demands being placed on it – which in turn is resulting in no produce being able to leave the UK.”

We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

The spokesperson added that the consequences of the trade deal would severely impact the livelihoods of “fishermen, fishing towns and the shellfish industry as a whole.”

Seafood sellers are losing an around £1million a day, according to Scotland Food and Drink.

Seafood Scotland CEO Donna Fordyce reported drops of between 40 and 50 percent in the price of some seafood types destined for EU recipients.

Ms Fordyce said: “Losses for the sector are mounting and the situation is urgent.”

She added: “Getting anything out of the UK into the EU is being achieved by luck rather than design.

“This was inevitable, given such a complicated process was put together at the last minute.”

The Prime Minister promised fisheries will be indemnified for the damage caused by the Brexit trade deal “shortly”.

Mr Johnson’s spokesman said: “We’re working extremely closely with the fishing industry to look at how we can resolve temporary issues that we face.

DON’T MISS
Our fishermen were USED! Fish quotas are lower under Brexit than EU [COMMENT]
Scottish fishing businesses launch Brexit protest with a dozen lorries [SPOTLIGHT]
EU fishing faces extinction: VDL handed bombshell letter to save fish [FOCUS]

“We will look to help and compensate them for some of the issues that they’ve faced since the end of the transition period.

“Over the course of the weekend, Scotland Office Minister David Duguid and Fishing Minister Victoria Prentis spoke to the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and the Scottish Seafood

Association about the concerns the industry have and we will set out more details shortly on how we will continue to help and support the industry.”

Source: Read Full Article