UK gearing up to force fisheries deal upon us

Wednesday 14 October 2020

The UK Government will attempt to force new fisheries laws upon us "if needed" to get its Brexit negotiations with the EU over the line, in a shock move that is both "provocative and unprecedented".

The plans have come to light in a controversial amendment to the UK's Fisheries Bill, which is currently being discussed in the House of Commons.

The UK wants to automatically bar EU fishing boats from its waters, granting them access on a licensed basis only, and appears willing to trade off some of Guernsey's rights over our territorial waters in order to gets its own deal over the line. 

Speaking today, Victoria Prentis, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, introduced a 'permissive extent clause' that will enable the UK Government to legislate for the Crown dependencies to ensure compliance with its international obligations.

"That follows a great deal of discussion with the Crown dependencies and I recognise that they take their international obligations seriously," she said. 

Pictured: Justice Committee Chairman Bob Neill criticised the UK Government's stance that it can legislate for the Crown dependencies without our consent (Credit: Chris McAndrew, UK Government).

"I reassure Members and, indeed, the Crown dependencies, that activation of the permissive extent clause would only ever be used as a last resort and I am looking forward to continuing discussions with the Crown dependencies on that in the next few days and weeks."

Guernsey's Chief Minister Gavin St Pier reacted on social media, saying her analysis of discussions to date had been "over-simplified" and vowing to comment in more detail.

Justice Committee Chairman Bob Neill said the Government's position was "truly unprecedented" and concerning. 

"As things stand, the governments and legislatures of both Jersey and Guernsey object. It is not just that they do not think a permissive extent clause is necessary; they object to its inclusion in the Bill," he said.

That analysis is over-simplified. I will be issuing a statement on this and related matters shortly. https://t.co/CwFjCY8Zxm

— Gavin St Pier #MoveForwardTogether #GsyPartnership (@gavinstpier) October 14, 2020

"It is truly unprecedented for the Government to insist upon a permissive extent clause without the agreement of the relevant Crown dependencies. Why, even in an emergency, go down this rather provocative step? Why not wait until such time as an emergency arises and let them legislate, as they have indicated they would?"

Ms Prentis refused to back down on her department's position, which is that they can legislate for us - and against our will - "if needed". 

"The Government feel that it is important, given that these are significant matters of international law, that we retain the ability to legislate for the Crown dependencies if they do not show the inclination to do so when needed," she said.

"We very much doubt that this will be necessary. I am sorry that they are upset by this stand, but I do feel that it is the right thing to do in the circumstances at the moment."