Danish fishing vessels anchored in a harbour (Image: Getty)
Labour must not row back on the country’s Brexit freedoms by lifting an EU ban on fishing sandeels in UK waters, MPs have warned.
Danish fishermen have successfully convinced the EU to launch an arbitration tribunal against the UK in a bid to gain access to fishing the species in English and Scottish waters.
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Reform MP Richard Tice said: “Once again the European Union are trying to meddle with our fishing waters.
“After the Tories sold out on fisheries during Brexit negotiations, Labour must not row back on the country’s Brexit freedoms by letting EU vessels catch sandeels in marine protected areas.
“It’s time to remind the EU that we left and we make our own decisions now.”
The UK earlier this year banned fishing in the North Sea for puffins’ favourite food, the sandeel.
But the European Union is demanding the ban be lifted, claiming it breaches the UK’s post-Brexit breakup deal.
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This is the first time the EU has triggered the dispute mechanism of the UK's breakup deal, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Brexiteer Sir Bernard Jenkin MP said: “Our Brexit freedoms have allowed us to take back control of our seas. This allowed the last Conservative government to introduce world-leading protections for our marine wildlife, providing food for our native bird populations, allowing our oceans to thrive, and replenishing fish stocks for our fishing industry.
“But the EU is continuing to play games with the UK’s natural habitats. They’re prioritising their industrial fishing industry, sparing little thought for our nation’s wildlife or fishermen, which depend upon U.K. sovereignty over U.K. waters. The government must live up to its promises, protect our seas, and stop the EU’s fishing boats.”
Andrew Griffiths MP said the Tory ban on sandeel fish fishing was a crucial step in safeguarding populations of beautiful British birds like puffins and kittiwakes.
He added: “Labour ministers should stick to it. The EU pretends to be an environmental leader, but actions speak louder than words and they seem happy to sacrifice Puffins to help french fishing interests. In the face of considerable pressure to back down, Labour ministers must stand firm and defend our seas.”
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John Flesher, deputy director of the Conservative Environment Network, said: “The Conservative government left a legacy on protecting wildlife across the world, as well as Britain’s coastlines. These Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) will ensure sandeel populations have recover, providing food for Britain’s native bird population like puffins and kittiwakes. Indeed, it is just as conservative as it is British to protect the beautiful and unique habitats our nation hosts.
“However, the EU’s continued lobbying to roll back these protections puts our wildlife at risk and threatens to undermine Britain’s nature targets. The government should remain firm, and prove to our European allies that you can have both a thriving wildlife and fishing industry simultaneously.”
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been contacted for comment.