At a press conference in Paris, CNP President Gerard Romiti explained that fishermen would prevent cargo ships from reaching the ports of Saint-Malo, Oysterham and Calais, all in northern France and in the Channel Corridor.
And on land, fishermen will also “for a few hours” prevent cargo trucks from arriving at the Channel Tunnel terminal.
“We don’t want handouts, we just want our licenses back. The UK must honor the post-Brexit agreement. Rometty stressed that many fishermen still don’t know what to do.
“We have been waiting for 11 months (…). The patience of professionals has its limits. We wish to hear this protest,” without ruling out any other works in the future.
For the head of the CNP, the movement is a response to the “provocative” and “humiliating” position of the British.
“The licensing issue is the tree that hides the forest: the long-term relationship with the UK will depend on it being resolved,” he warned.
Despite questioning the strength of the European commitment along with the European Union (EU) fishermen, Rometty welcomed Wednesday’s “ultimatum” by the European Commission, which has asked London to resolve the dispute by December 10.
Under the ‘Brexit’ agreement signed at the end of 2020 between London and Brussels, European fishermen can continue to work in British waters, provided they can prove they were indeed fishing there.
But the French and British argue about the nature and extent of the supporting documents to be submitted.
In total, since January 1, 2021, France has obtained “more than 960 licenses” to fish in British waters and Channel Island, but Paris is seeking an additional 150, according to the French Ministry of the Seas.
