UK News
7:21, 28 Oct 2021Updated: 11:56, 28 Oct 2021
SCALLOP WAR France seizes British trawler as row over fishing rights escalates and French minister declares ‘This is combat’
FRANCE has seized a British trawler as the cross-Channel fishing row with England escalates and a French minister declares: "This is combat."
Paris last night said it was prepared to launch a guerrilla trade war against the UK and cut electricity to Jersey - in a move set to sabotage Christmas shipments.
French officials have seized a British trawler (stock image)
No10 is increasingly uncomfortable with France's "disappointing and disproportionate" approach
Relations are already on a knife's edge, as France last night seized a British trawler fishing in its territorial waters without a licence. A verbal warning was issued to another UK vessel.
And this morning, French Maritime Minister Girardin told RTL radio: "This is not war, but this is a combat."
France's Europe minister Clement Beaune said the country will "speak the language of force" because it's the "only thing this British Government understands".
The UK Government is "urgently" investigating reports that the British boat - which was in the Baie de Seine - was ordered to divert to Le Havre today.
France is furious that Britain has refused to grant its fishermen the full number of licences to operate inside British water post-Brexit.
On Wednesday, the EU country announced retaliatory measures that could come into effect from November 2 if no progress is made in talks.
These measures will include additional customs checks on goods entering the European continent through France's border and prohibiting British fishing boats from unloading in several French ports, the French government said.
And President Emmanuel Macron's spokesman said sanctions could be announced today over No10’s refusal to approve 32 fishing licences.
But Boris Johnson has vowed to hit back hard with an "an appropriate and calibrated response" if France presses ahead.
No10 is increasingly uncomfortable with France's "disappointing and disproportionate" approach and may appeal to the EU Commission.
Diplomats said the "beleaguered" French leader was "in denial" about levels of support on the continent for his actions as other EU nations snub his plea for help.
Experts doubt Paris will break the terms of the trade deal as threatened.
FISHY BUSINESS
French maritime gendarmes conducted multiple checks on fishing vessels off Le Havre, northern France, overnight, Girardin's ministry said.
One trawler was fined for obstructing checks after it initially refused a request to be boarded by police, the statement said.
It was later found not to have been in breach of regulations.
The ministry said the second boat was not on a list of UK vessels with licenses granted by the European Commission and France.
The boat - the Cornelis Gert Jan - was then ordered to divert to Le Havre. The boat's skipper is facing criminal charges.
The vessel, which was built in 1985, was fishing for scallops when she was seized.
"The trawler was rerouted under a maritime police escort after failing to comply with a licence check, and is now in Le Havre quayside," said a source close to the case.
"A judge has been instructed to deal with the British boat – the skipper faces criminal charges, and may have his haul confiscated."
A UK Government spokesman said: "We are aware of reports of enforcement activity being undertaken by the French authorities and are looking into the matter urgently."
Priti Patel described the detention "disappointing", adding: "We as a country fulfilled all our obligations under the TCA.
"But at the same time, discussions across Government will continue, both at commission level but also with counterparts within the French administration."
FLEXING THEIR MUSSELS
As tensions continue to escalate, France's Europe minister threatened to block British boats from French ports and tighten checks further.
Mr Beaune told French TV news channel CNews: "We have been extremely patient... our fishermen have been extremely responsible... And so, from November 2, it's over: we will engage in dialogue if the British want to, but we are taking retaliatory measures."
"Now we need to speak the language of force because, unfortunately, that seems to be the only thing this British Government understands."
President Emmanuel Macron's spokesman said sanctions could be announced today
WATCH: Boris Johnson tells Emmanuel Macron to “get a grip” over Aukus deal
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/uknews/16558653/france-seizes-british-trawler-channel-row-brexit/
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