UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour has not dismissed the possibility of renegotiating EU fishing access as part of its broader reset with the UK, leaving room for future talks.
As reported by The Telegraph, ministers admit European fishing access is back on the table as they seek to reset relations with the EU, raising concerns over potential compromises.
What did Daniel Zeichner say about EU fishing demands?
Daniel Zeichner, the minister for farming and fisheries, admitted that EU nations are strongly pushing for expanded access to British waters.
His remarks came after the EU pressed Britain to surrender fishing rights in return for securing a new defense cooperation deal.
During a parliamentary debate on Wednesday, Mr Zeichner faced questions about the EU’s fishing demands.
He stated,
“Clearly there is a negotiation going on by proxy, if not directly, at the moment, so I will not comment on the individual points that have been made other than to reflect that we are determined to get the best possible outcome for our nation.”
The fishing minister said,
“The Government are absolutely committed to a reset with the European Union, but I assure the House of my determination that we get a good outcome for the fisheries sector.”
Mr Zeichner’s statement marks the first official acknowledgment that fishing will be part of discussions in the broader UK-EU relations reset.
He stated that the shift to annual access negotiations starting next year is a “very important point.”
Speaking to MPs, he said,
“Other countries are pushing very hard, and we will push equally hard for our sector.”
What did Melanie Onn say about protecting UK fisheries?
Melanie Onn, the Labour MP for Grimsby, stated that the Government must “not be afraid to stand up for UK fisheries” in upcoming talks.”
She said,
“It poses an inherent danger when the desire for safety and security in our nation is potentially weighed against livelihoods and an industry.”
Ms Onn added,
“When it comes to defence in these very insecure times internationally, we should be aware of the likelihood of the EU’s expectations, and we should go into things completely open-eyed but unafraid to defend what remains of our fishing sector.”
What did John Cooper say about the risk to UK fishing crews?
Tory MP John Cooper raised concerns that fishing crews may once again be sacrificed as “bargaining chips” in political negotiations.
He stated,
“What Labour expects from this reset is opaque at best, but the EU – good protectionist that it is – has already drawn up an invoice, and top of its list is fishing.”
Mr Cooper said,
“Just as Labour’s Employment Rights Bill, with its heavy pro-union bias, takes us back to 1979 and the winter of discontent, so fishing is drifting back to 1973. Then, our prized and pristine waters were the quid pro quo for access to what was then the European Economic Community.”
He added,
“Britain’s status as an independent coastal state was hard won, and we must not allow our fleet to be dragged back into the ambit of the hated common fisheries policy. We cannot allow a linkage between fisheries and access to markets to be established.”
What did Mike Cohen say about the UK’s response to EU demands?
Mike Cohen, head of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, called on the Government to take a firm stance against EU demands.
He insisted that Britain should not negotiate without demanding the removal of big EU trawlers from UK waters.
Mr Cohen stated,
“In 2026, the default position is that the EU and the UK lose that default access to one another’s waters, and we go to a position of access being negotiated annually,”
adding,
“This is clearly what the EU wants to avoid. They agreed to it, but now they’re not happy with it and they’ve got a bit of buyer’s remorse.”
Scottish Fishermen’s Federation remarks about fishing in UK-EU negotiations
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation warned that the UK’s fishing communities should not be treated as a “bargaining chip” in defence deal negotiations.
The group stated,
“It is almost incredulous that some EU member states are now saying that unless the UK capitulates and gives the EU what it wants on fishing, the UK will not be able to access the EU’s defence fund.”
It said, “It is both ridiculous and dangerous that anyone would want to threaten the safety and security and defence of Europe on such a pretense,” adding, “It is ironic that President Macron’s case for safeguarding Europe’s sovereignty involves invading someone else’s.”
Will the UK have to give up fishing rights for an EU security pact?
In response to the US redirecting its priorities toward the Pacific, Keir Starmer is working to negotiate a fresh security deal with the EU.
Last week, Sweden’s EU affairs minister, Jessica Rosencrantz, warned that he would need to surrender on fishing to reach a deal.
She stated, “Just to be clear, I think it’s really important that the EU and U.K. work together on defence and security,” adding, “Obviously, there are other sensitive issues as well for many member states which also need to be resolved, fisheries being one.”
Will the UK grant the EU permanent fishing rights after 2026?
Under the original Brexit deal, EU vessels were granted a five-year transition period with access to UK waters, but their quota share has been gradually reduced.
The transition period ends in 2026, requiring Brussels to secure fishing access for EU boats through yearly negotiations from next year.
Several EU countries oppose the current arrangement and are urging Brussels to push the UK for long-term fishing rights.