JOHNSON SOLD US OUT IN BREXIT TRADE DEAL, UK FISHERS GROUSE

British fishermen said that Prime Minister Boris Johnson had sold out fish stocks to the European Union (EU) with a Brexit trade deal that gives EU boats significant access to the United Kingdom’s rich fishing waters.

Some British politicians also said the deal added up to a sell-out, Guy Faulconbridge reported for Reuters.

The UK will leave the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy on Dec. 31, but under the trade deal agreed on Christmas Eve the current rules will remain largely in place during a 5-1/2-year transition period.

After that period, there will be annual consultations to establish the level and conditions for EU access to British waters.

The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organizations said the fishing industry had been sacrificed by Johnson. For example, it said, the UK’s share of Celtic Sea haddock will increase to 20% from 10%, leaving 80% in the hands of EU fleets for a further five years.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of the Scottish National Party, said Johnson had “sold out Scottish fishing all over again,” and added: “Promises they knew couldn’t be delivered, duly broken.”

Ian Blackford, the SNP leader in parliament, said “this is a massive sell-out, Boris Johnson’s UK government have signed a deal that guarantees long-term access for EU boats.”

Fishing contributed just 0.03% of British economic output in 2019, but many Brexit supporters see it as a symbol of the regained sovereignty they say leaving the EU brings.

Combined with fish and shellfish processing, the sector makes up 0.1% of the United Kingdom’s GDP.

“In the end-game, the prime minister made the call and caved in on fish, despite the rhetoric and assurances,” the group said. “There will of course be an extensive public relations exercise to portray the deal as a fabulous victory, but it will inevitably be seen by the fishing industry as a defeat.”

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