PanamaTimes

Friday, Mar 29, 2024

France threatens to cut power to UK’s Channel Islands in row over fishing licenses

France threatens to cut power to UK’s Channel Islands in row over fishing licenses

France has said it could cut power to the British Crown dependencies in the English Channel to “pressure” London in a dispute over fishing licenses for French boats.

Under the 2020 UK-EU trade deal, French boats are allowed to continue catching fish in British waters if they obtain a license. They also need to provide evidence they had fished in the same areas before Brexit.

However, Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands and a self-governing UK Crown Dependency, has angered French fishermen and officials by not granting all the licenses sought by French boats.

“Our patience has a clear limit. That’s the exasperation of our fishermen. For nine months we’ve been talking calmly, nicely,” French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune told Europe 1 radio on Wednesday, accusing the UK of not sticking to the trade deal.

On September 29, Jersey granted 64 full and 31 provisional licenses to French vessels. At the same time, the island rejected bids from 75 boats. On Tuesday, 12 additional licenses were issued compared to 87 requests, far below the expectations of Paris.

“We’ve decided with my European counterparts that in the coming days we will adopt European or national measures to pressure the United Kingdom, especially in the case of the goods they export to France,” Beaune said.

"We must defend our interests. We do it diplomatically and, when it doesn’t work, we take measures. For example, we can imagine sanctions on energy, since the United Kingdom is dependent on our energy and the advantages of our export."


“The British think they can live on their own and bash Europe… It’s enough,” Beaune said.

French officials have made threats to cut power to Jersey in the past, as fisheries remain one of the most contentious issues plaguing the UK’s relations with the EU after London left the bloc.

Jersey’s environmental minister, John Young, said last week the island wanted to keep foreign fishing in its waters similar to pre-Brexit times and has been “flexible” in accepting various forms of evidence from the French.

The island’s external relations minister, Ian Gorst, argued that Jersey has “maintained a pragmatic, reasonable and evidence-based approach” throughout the licensing process.

In March, Jersey fishermen protested by using their boats to block the entrance to the island’s St. Helier Harbour. They claimed that they were not allowed to land their catches in France.

Newsletter

Related Articles

PanamaTimes
0:00
0:00
Close
Apple warns against drying iPhones with rice
In a recent High Court hearing, the U.S. argued that Julian Assange endangered lives by releasing classified information.
Global Law Enforcement Dismantles Lockbit Ransomware Operation
Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny has died at the Arctic prison colony
The President of Argentina Javier Mile does not fly private, he flies commercial, with the citizens he represents. And they LOVE him for it.
Bitcoin Reaches $50,000 for First Time in Over Two Years
Belo Horizonte: Brazil's Rising Carnival Hotspot for 2024
In El Salvador, the 'Trump of Latin America' stuns the world with a speech slamming woke policing after winning a landslide election
Tucker’s interview with Putin is over 50M views on X within the first 5 hours.
Finnish Airline, Finnair, is voluntarily weighing passengers to better estimate flight cargo weight
President Nayib Bukele has proudly announced El Salvador's remarkable achievement of becoming the safest nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Former Chilean President Sebastian Piñera Dies in Helicopter Crash
This farmer seems to understand science a bit more than the event organizer, Klaus Schwab.
Facebook turns 20: From Mark Zuckerberg's dormitory to a $1trn company
The Coolest Dictator in the World" on the Path to Victory in El Salvador
Macron, France and fake news
Indian-Origin Man 'King' Arrested For Smuggling $16 Million Drugs Into US
Can someone teach Americans that not every person with slanted eyes is Chinese?
Europe's Farmers Feeding the People, Protesting Against Politicians Who Do Nothing for Their Country and Serve Only Themselves at Taxpayers' Expense
Paris Restaurant That Inspired 'Ratatouille' Loses $1.6 Million Worth Of Wine
Brazilian Police Investigate Bolsonaro's Son for Alleged Illegal Spying
Police in Brazil Raid Residence of Bolsonaro Associate Over Allegations of Illegal Spying
Border Dispute Escalates as Texas Governor Vows Increased Razor Wire
OpenAI Enhances ChatGPT-4 Model, Potentially Addressing AI "Laziness" Issue
The NSA finally acknowledges spying on Americans by acquiring sensitive data
Report Reveals Toxic Telegram Group Generating X-Rated AI-Generated Fake Images of Taylor Swift
US Border Patrol States 'No Plans' to Remove Razor Wire Installed in Texas
Bitcoin Experiences Approximately 20% Decline in Value
Klaus Schwab recently appointed himself as the Earth's "trustee of the future."
DeSantis Drops Out, Endorses Trump.
Nikki Haley said former President Trump is "just not at the same level" of mental fitness as he was while president in 2016.
Residents of a southern Mexican town set the government palace on fire in response to the police killing of a young man
Samsung Launches AI-Driven Galaxy S24, Ushering in New Smartphone Era
Judge Questions SEC's Regulatory Overreach in Coinbase Lawsuit
The Ecuador prosecutor who was investigating the television studio attack, has been assassinated.
Is artificial intelligence the solution to cyber security threats?
Vivek Ramaswamy suspends his US election campaign and endorses Trump.
Viral Satire: A Staged Satirical Clip Mistaken as Real Footage from the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos
The AI Revolution in the Workforce: CEOs at Davos Predict Major Job Cuts in 2024
Ecuador Reports 178 Hostages in Prison Gang Standoff
The Startling Cuban Espionage Case That Has Rattled the US Government
Two Armed Men in Ecuador, Dressed as Batman and The Joker Storm the Streets.
Armed Gang Raids Ecuadorian TV Station Following State of Emergency Declaration
Anti-Democratic Canada: Journalist Arrested for Questioning Canadian Finance Minister on Support of Terrorist Group
Ecuador's 'Most-Wanted' Criminal Vanishes from Prison
Mexican Cartel Supplied Wi-Fi to Locals Under Threat of Fatal Consequences for Non-Compliance
Border Surge Leads to Over 11,000 Migrants Waiting in Northern Mexico
Outsider Candidates Triumph in Latin American Elections
As Argentina Goes to the Polls, Will the Proposal to Replace the Peso with the Dollar Secure Votes?
Fatal Shark Attack Claims Life of Boston Woman Paddleboarding Near Bahamas Resort, According to Police
×