Devon and Cornwall fishers fear defence talks could hurt industry
Fishing industry leaders have said they are concerned defence negotiations with the EU could lead to the bloc's fishing vessels having increased access to UK waters.The issue was raised by MPs at an Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee meeting which heard the fishing industry was not "a bargaining chip" that could be "traded against defence".A key trade agreement between the UK and the EU is due to be reviewed in 2026.The government insisted talk about fishing rights being linked to discussions about defence was pure speculation.
Chris Ranford, chief executive of the Cornish Fish Producers Association, said: "It's really important our government stand up to this - we see it as bullying tactics."We have something really important in the UK - our fishing waters are highly productive."It's clear they want access attached to this defence contract but our government really needs to stand up for the fishing industry."In a Westminster Hall debate on fishing quota negotiations on 26 March, Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, said: "The fishing industry has often been used as a pawn - a bargaining chip. It would be a great pity if that happened again."Caroline Voaden, Liberal Democrat MP for Totnes, said: "We should not allow the defence of Europe and the security of our nation to be negotiated against the fishing industry."Aphra Brandreth, Conservative MP for Chester South, said: "As the government have said, food security is national security, and we cannot have our fishing communities and fishing stocks traded against defence in any way."
'Lots of speculation'
EU leaders have backed plans to jointly borrow €150bn (£126bn) to lend to EU governments for military expenditure.Speaking at an Environment Committee on Tuesday, farming minister Daniel Zeichner said: "The French will say what they will say, but we are absolutely determined to stand up for the interests of the UK fishing industry."I wouldn't believe everything that is rumoured around an issue like this, because obviously there is lots and lots of speculation, but of course, we have discussions, because the transitional period comes to an end in the middle of next year. But no decisions have been taken and there is no linkage."I'm absolutely determined we get the best possible outcome for UK fishers because they're a very important source of food supply."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
36 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Rangers will never suffer Crystal Palace UEFA sweat as SFA chief makes dual ownership rules clear
Mike Mulraney explains that Ibrox takeover as well as Hearta and Hibs deal meet key criteria set by Hampden beaks Mike Mulraney insists the SFA would never allow dual ownership where it could cost clubs a place in Europe. Co-Leeds United investor, the 49ers group, has just bought a minority share in Rangers, similar to Brighton owner Tony Bloom at Hearts and Bournemouth's holding company Black Knight who have put money into Hibs. SFA chiefs have given these deals the green light but only because they are minority investments in the Scottish clubs. English FA Cup winners Crystal Palace are sweating on their European inclusion for next season because they also have control of French side Lyon. Mulraney said: 'We make sure if ever there is a contention about a dual-ownership model whereby the Scottish club would be seen as subordinate, that cannot be. You can't get investment rights unless you agree the Scottish club is never subordinate. 'In the event UEFA said, 'these two clubs can't play in the same competition, we've changed the rules', nobody really thought about it. The SFA ensures that the Scottish club is never subordinate.'
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Councillor's fury as Powys cabinet members miss school vote
Residents of a village whose school is set to close feel 'betrayed' by the council's cabinet, an opposition leader has said. At a meeting of on Tuesday, June 10, cabinet members received an objections report on the proposal to close the 25 pupil Ysgol Bro Cynllaith in Llansilin near Oswestry. It means the closure will now go ahead at the end of August. Conservative group leader, Cllr Aled Davies who represents Llansilin said: 'At the last meeting to discuss Ysgol Bro Cynllaith a third of the cabinet was missing. 'Today is the final meeting to discuss the future of Bro Cynllaith and half the cabinet including the leader are missing.' Cllr Davies continued: 'There were a number of opportunities to meet with the community, the school governors and headteacher and only one of the 10 cabinet members could be bothered to come. 'It's not acceptable – it's important that cabinet are seen to reach out to the community. 'They are feeling betrayed and clearly the cabinet has no interest in the north of Powys.' He pointed out that the Cllr Berriman (Liberal Democrat) lives 51 miles away and other cabinet members live well over 100 miles away from Llansilin. Cllr Davies said: 'There's one member of the cabinet from Montgomeryshire (Cllr Richard Church) when it has 40 per cent of the Powys population.' Cllr Davies added that 'serious alternative proposals' to closure had not been considered. Cabinet member for education, Cllr Pete Roberts (Liberal Democrat) explained that on the day of a meeting arranged by Cllr Davies, for the whole village he had been down at a meeting with the minister for education in Cardiff. Cllr Roberts said: 'You arranged that without actually informing cabinet members you wanted there that it was happening. 'The travel time for me to Cardiff is an hour and 50 minutes, the travel time from Cardiff to Llansilin is between three-and-a-half and four hours. 'The civil service guidance is that anyone attending a meeting should not be driving for more than six hours in that day. 'If you had shown the courtesy of inviting me I would have made every attempt to be there, but you chose not to, so I will not be lectured by you.' Cllr Roberts added: 'This proposal has been enacted in exactly the same way as has been done on previous closure proposals that have been through judicial review.'
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
MPs call for UK to recognise Palestine after Government sanctions ministers
MPs have called for the Government to recognise the state of Palestine at a summit next week, hours after the Foreign Secretary confirmed the sanctioning of two Israeli government ministers. Foreign minister Hamish Falconer faced repeated cross-party calls from MPs to recognise Palestine at the meeting in New York. In response, Mr Falconer did not rule out the move, saying he had 'no doubt' he would return to the Commons to update MPs. It came as the UK imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's security minister and finance minister, respectively. The move came alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway. When asked about the recognition of Palestine by Liberal Democrat foreign spokesperson Calum Miller, Mr Falconer said: 'The two-state solution conference next week is an important moment we're discussing with our friends and allies our approach to that conference and no-doubt I will return to this house, with your permission Mr Speaker, to discuss further.' Mr Miller had said: 'The time has also come to listen to members on all sides of this House and officially to recognise the independent state of Palestine. Will the Government commit to taking this vital step at next week's summit in New York? 'Recognition will demonstrate the UK's commitment to self-determination but also make clear that, building on today's announcement, the UK will do all it can to wrest control away from the extremes and give both Israelis and Palestinians hope of a lasting peace.' Conservative MP for Herne Bay and Sandwich, Sir Roger Gale, had chastised the Government for not taking more action. He said: 'When the minister came to the despatch box, I had expected to hear something constructive. What we've heard is the sanctioning of two people. The United Kingdom Government could unilaterally recognise Palestine. The United Kingdom Government could show the world and lead.' He added: 'When is the Government going to do something?' Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed (Sheffield Central), who was denied access to the occupied West Bank earlier this year, agreed with the calls. She said: 'Annexation is real. It is happening. Partners in the region are calling for recognition before it's too late.' Ms Mohamed continued: 'Does the minister agree with me that we must not throw recognition into the long grass? That failure to recognise next week at the UN conference implies that Israel does have a veto, and that the Israeli government will continue to annexe and terrorise Palestinians in the West Bank. If we do not recognise now, there will be no Palestinian state to recognise.' Mr Falconer said: 'Recognition is right at the centre of any discussion of a two-state solution.' The minister had earlier told MPs the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine was in critical danger. He said the rhetoric of Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr Smotrich did not represent the majority of Israelis. He said: 'This is an affront to the rights of Palestinians, but it is also against the interests of Israelis, against their long-term security and democracy.' Later in the session, Green Party MP Ellie Chowns (North Herefordshire) accused the Government of doing the 'bare minimum' while Conservative former minister Kit Malthouse further pressed the minister on whether recognition at the summit is now 'off the table'. Mr Falconer said 'we are doing everything we can', adding: 'We are so incredibly frustrated by the scenes that meet us, meet everybody behind me, and I would say gently to (Mr Malthouse), he has no monopoly on the morality of this situation.' The minister went on to say settler expansion had increased hugely in recent years, and last year had seen the worst settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank on record. He added that this year is on track to be just as violent. 'This is an attempt to entrench a one-state reality,' he told MPs. He continued: 'The gravity of this situation demands further action. The reality is that these human rights abuses, incitement to violence, extremist rhetoric comes … from individuals who are ministers in this Israeli government.' Mr Falconer added: 'We have told the Israeli government that we would take tougher action if this did not stop. It still did not. The appalling rhetoric has continued unchanged. Violent perpetrators continue to act with impunity and with encouragement. 'So, let me tell the House now, when we say something, we mean it. Today we have shown, with our partners, two extremists we will not stand by while they wreck the prospects for future peace.' Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said: 'The situation in the Middle East and the suffering we are seeing is serious and completely intolerable. Dame Priti added: 'We all want to see a better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people, and the UK must continue to play a leading role in achieving this.' She told MPs the previous Conservative government considered sanctioning the two ministers. 'The minister will be aware that the sanctioning of individuals is always under review, that is the right policy,' she said. 'And in the case of Israel, this has been previously considered even by Lord Cameron, who has spoken of that in the last government.' DUP MP Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) suggested Mr Falconer is 'pandering to the increasingly loud anti-Israel voices on his backbenches', adding: 'The minister must know that this will not bring peace to Gaza.' Mr Falconer replied: 'I have spoken about the perilous decline of the situation in the West Bank, and indeed events of the last two weeks, and I've also spoken about the importance of co-ordinating with allies. So, I don't think I have anything further to say.'
