Parliament: No Brexit agreement without fisheries

On 26 May 2020 in Brussels, the Parliamentary Committee on Fisheries adopted its final position on the European Union's future relations with the United Kingdom. CDA MEP and fisheries spokesperson Annie Schreijer-Pierik is clear: "No fisheries agreement means no Brexit agreement for us. The fishing industry should not be forgotten in this great political game." With her Christian Democratic French colleague François-Xavier Bellamy, Schreijer-Pierik received the support of a large majority of Parliament's Fisheries Committee for her proposals, which will now be forwarded to the Brexit negotiators of the European Parliament. 

"It is impossible to conclude an agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom unless there is a long-term, balanced fisheries agreement guaranteeing permanent reciprocal access to waters, fisheries resources and fishing grounds", says Schreijer-Pierre. "Without an agreement, many direct and indirect jobs will be destroyed and the socio-economic fabric of coastal areas and fishing communities will be damaged. This value chain is already seriously affected by the consequences of the current corona crisis. It is in the interest of both parties to agree on a balanced agreement that guarantees reciprocal access to fishing grounds and the distribution of fishing quotas'.

Researchers at Wageningen University earlier this year calculated that Dutch fishermen would lose 38% of their total catch if they were no longer allowed to fish in British waters after the Brexit. "Furthermore, 82% of all herring caught by our fishermen comes from the British part of the North Sea. For mackerel this is as much as 62%, for blue whiting 50%, for sole at least 29% and for plaice also 23%," says the CDA politician. Schreijer-Pierik points to the economic reality. "Nearly 40% of the fish caught in Europe is caught in British waters and, conversely, 70% of British fishery products are exported to the European market. That is why I and my colleagues are now demanding butter with the fish for our fishermen, aquaculture and fish trade".