Fishing boom to be 'huge' for UK says expert
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UP NEXT
A fishing row has broken out after the EU chiefs outlined plans to move the goal-posts when it comes to exporting bivalve molluscs, such as mussels, scallops and oyster to the continent. Britain is now being treated as a third country by the EU and its standards require shellfish to be pre-purified and have health certificates before being exported. The costly measures were due to be temporary, but last month EU chiefs told UK firms the requirements would be extended beyond April.
Environment Secretary Mr Eustice insisted there is "no legal barrier" to prevent the trade, and is urging the European Commission to abide by existing regulations.
It is understood the UK Government is considering hitting back by introducing a new set of licences for boats looking to fish in the UK's 6-12 mile exclusive zone.
Britain has already granted licences for distances beyond 12 miles, but applications for those within that range are still being finalised.
Tighter rules could be introduced requiring foreign boats to adhere to the same higher standards as UK vessels.
© GETTYBoris Johnson
© GETTYshellfish
A Whitehall insider told The Telegraph: "There are things we could do to make their life difficult."
A subsequent poll of more than 8,000 Express.co.uk readers has found the overwhelming majority support taking action against the EU.
The survey conducted on Wednesday February 10 from 11.30am to 8.30pm, asked 8,536 online readers, should Boris Johnson retaliate against the EU over the live shellfish ban?
A huge 96 percent (8,223) of readers were in favour of retaliating against the EU and voted "yes".
© GETTYshellfish
Just over three percent (272) were against the proposal and voted "no".
Meanwhile, less than one percent (41) were unsure and voted "don't know".
A number of passionate Express.co.uk readers let their opinions known in the comments section of the poll.
One user wrote: "Ban all EU boats from fishing for shellfish in our waters, after all if the fish are not good enough for our fishermen to catch, they can't complain if we say 'they're not good enough for them to catch'."
READ MORE: Brexit LIVE: Boris prepares to launch trade war over shellfish ban
© GETTYfishing
A second added: "Unless they start playing ball, including agreeing to the deal within the allotted time, let's just drop the agreement for a hard Brexit and WTO rules."
A third added: "Boris could I suppose, retaliate by banning French wine."
A fourth wrote: "Of course Boris should retaliate...If he doesn't the EU will see it as a sign of weakness and continue to try and make Brexit the failure they desperately want it to be."
Mr Eustice said Brussels' decision to place barriers on live UK shellfish exports is "indefensible".
The Environment Secretary said the Commission changed its position last week, and previously "they had been clear that this was a trade that could continue".
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© EXPRESSfishing news
Speaking to LBC, he added the action puts a "ban on the trade altogether" was "quite unexpected and really indefensible".
French MEP Pierre Karleskind, who chairs the European Parliament's committee on fisheries, said a solution had not yet been reached with Stella Kyriakides, the EU commissioner for health.
As part of the Trade and Corporation Agreement signed in December, EU fishing quotas in UK waters will be cut by 25 percent over the next five years.
UK fishing firms have been hit with additional red-tape when exporting to the EU and the Government's compensation scheme is now open.
The UK-wide seafood disruption support scheme allows firms to claim up to £100,000.