The EU gave the UK until December 10 to issue more fishing licences to French vessels. Emmanuel Macron's government has threatened to take retaliatory measures against Britain if more licences are not granted, accusing the government of failing to honour the terms of the EU trade deal.
Fishing boats with historic access to Britain's waters must be given permits to continue to do so under the terms of the post-Brexit trade agreement signed last December. They must prove they accessed the waters at least one day a year between 2013 and 2016 On Thursday, Downing Street refused to back down in the face of new French threats of EU-wide retaliation if more licences were not granted. Leading figures have urged the Prime Minister not to cave in to the demands of Mr Macron and the French government.
The former MEP, June Mummery, told Express.co. The government must stand firm because the French are not eligible. They don't have a track record to fish in those grounds. If our Government caved into the French bullying tactics, this would be a mockery of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement TCA and would open more ridiculous claims to the French. The former MEP went on to demand the EU pull the French in line as they are members of the bloc whereas Britain is not. READ MORE: BREXIT LIVE: Cave on Fishing TODAY or face court.
Fury as Cornish fishermen robbed' INSIGHT Brexit: Jersey fishermen warn ''everything is geared to French! COMMENT Brexit: Macron threatens to SUE Boris over fishing row REVEAL This is where things go wrong. We left the EU. We should not be having personal meetings. Why does Boris meet him personally when he is dealing with the EU? It is just weakness. What about all of our fishermen who have abided by the rules? Barrie Deas, Chairman of the National Federation of Fisherman's Organisations, urged the Prime Minister to stand up to the EU. He told Express.co. The TCA has been imposed on the UK. I think it's completely abiding by it. EU vessels must show that they have fished within the UK 6 -- 12 mile limit in order to be eligible for a licence to fish there until 2026, as per the UK's 6 -- 12 mile limit.