Local Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden has slammed the announcement that the UK and EU have agreed to a 12-year extension of the current fishing arrangements previously agreed by the Conservatives, enabling EU trawlers continued extensive access to British fishing waters. Caroline Voaden said the fishing community “deserve more than broken promises and bureaucratic barriers”.
The deal has raised serious concerns among fishing communities about the long-term impact on their livelihoods.
The Liberal Democrats have consistently pushed for a fair deal for the UK fishing industry post-Brexit, including stronger support for fishing exports and less red tape. The signals from the government over easing export restrictions are positive and I welcome them.
Such measures would deliver economic growth and job security across the UK, particularly in coastal communities which have been hit hard by the Brexit deal the Conservatives negotiated.
Responding to the news, Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, Caroline Voaden, said: “This 12-year agreement is yet another example of the Government failing to stand up for the British fishing industry and our coastal communities, including South Devon. The industry was promised greater control after Brexit by the Conservatives, but were let down by their sham deal and have been handed years of uncertainty and continued restrictions.
“It is utterly shameless of the Tories to complain now about a deal which replicates exactly their own cackhanded agreement – they must think fishermen have short memories indeed. For the inshore fleet fishing from Brixham this 12-year access agreement is a real blow to fishers who make their living from the 12-mile zone.
“It’s unbelievable that Starmer’s Labour government has now decided to extend the dreadful deal on fishing which was signed by Boris Johnson. If they had followed our advice and been more ambitious from the start — including pushing for a new, bespoke UK-EU deal — they could have delivered a far better outcome.
“The very least the Government must now do is work with our fishing community to understand how this deal will affect them, and ensure fairer export terms to the continent. They deserve more than broken promises and bureaucratic barriers.
“The Liberal Democrats will always stand up for the fishing community; that’s why we’re also urging the Government to create a minister for coastal communities, so they have a genuine and dedicated champion in government.”
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