EU must give ground on fisheries if trade talks are to progress says Banff and Buchan MP

The EU must give ground on fisheries if trade negotiations with the UK are to progress, Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has said.

The comments follow comments from EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier who said that the EU would not agree to an economic partnership without a ‘long-term solution’ on fisheries.

This has been interpreted by the UK Government as an attempt to continue the status quo of quota shares and access under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

However, Mr Duguid said that the UK had already left the EU and cannot be tied to the CFP.

Commenting, Mr Duguid said: “The EU is saying that no progress has been made, but we cannot offer what they want without giving up our significant and legitimate right to sovereignty over our own waters.

“There is no precedent, anywhere in the world, for a free trade agreement being dependent on guaranteed access to fishing waters.

“Access for EU vessels in UK water can continue after the end of the transition period but it must be on our terms and negotiated annually along with quota swaps.

“There is absolutely no reason that a future fisheries agreement between the UK and the EU should leave us at a disadvantage over Norway, Iceland and Faroe Islands in annual negotiations.

“I am pleased that the UK negotiating team continues to stand firm on this issue, insisting that it is the EU that must change its position if we are to agree a deal.”

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