Last-gasp EU demand for 10 years of fishing rights: Ambush over trawlers hits negotiations on ‘reset’ deal with Brussels

Brussels increased its demands over fishing rights last night, delaying the expected agreement of a deal with Britain.

Led by France, the European Union had called for a roll-over of the current five-year deal that grants its trawlermen access to UK coastal waters.

But at the last minute the negotiators said the arrangement should last far longer in return for lifting existing post-Brexit checks on lorry loads of food and animal products being exported from Britain to the continent.

One source told the Mail that the EU had suddenly asked for permanent access to British fish as a quid pro quo for Sir Keir Starmer being granted a so-called Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement that would see red tape for exporters lifted indefinitely.

Another insider said Brussels had put an offer of ‘a decade of fish’ on the table – access to UK waters for ten years – in return for scrapping the lorry checks.

A diplomat told the Telegraph that the EU wanted ‘double-digit’ years of fishing rights, sending the negotiations continuing late into last night and dashing hopes that the deal could be agreed early.

The Tories set out a series of ‘red lines’ last night that they will apply to any deal Labour makes on fishing as part of its EU reset. They said the Government ‘must make it clear that giving up any rights to UK waters and natural resources would represent a betrayal to British fishermen, a surrender of our sovereignty and a long-term risk to our food security’.

They also said British fishermen should have exclusive access to a zone 12 nautical miles from the coast, adding: ‘We must not sign a multi-year agreement which only benefits France.

Brussels increased its demands over fishing rights last night, delaying the expected agreement of a deal with Britain. Pictured: File photo 

Led by France , the European Union had called for a roll-over of the current five-year deal that grants its trawlermen access to UK coastal waters. Pictured: File photo 

One source told the Mail that the EU had suddenly asked for permanent access to British fish as a quid pro quo for Sir Keir Starmer (pictured earlier this week) being granted a so-called Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement

‘We should adopt the international norm and claim the regulatory autonomy of annual negotiations or only agree a multi-year deal that favours our fishing communities across the UK.’

Former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost told the Mail: ‘Conceding permanent EU access to our fishing grounds would be a disastrous sign of weakness.

‘It would essentially take us back to membership of the much-hated Common Fisheries Policy. The Government should hang tough in the interests of British fishermen, though I have little expectation that they will.’

Tory environment spokesman Victoria Atkins said: ‘Labour must not sacrifice our coastal communities in their ‘closing-down sale’ of British Brexit freedoms with the EU.

‘We will not accept any deal that throws our fishing industries overboard with cut quotas or selling off permanent rights to the EU. The Government should be going into these negotiations proud of our country, its history and its future. Instead, they seem set on apologising, grovelling and selling off the UK’s fishing treasures.’

Critics also warned that millions of young migrants could come to Britain unless ministers secured strict limits as part of negotiations with Brussels. The EU wants the Government to set up a youth-mobility scheme letting young adults from across the continent – most likely those aged 18 to 35 – live, work and study in the UK for up to three years.

Eurocrats have allegedly refused to include the word ‘cap’ in the text of the agreement due to be unveiled today in what has been dubbed Sir Keir Starmer’s ‘surrender summit’ in London.

And the UK has failed to confirm any limit on the numbers arriving, although ministers insisted yesterday that any arrangement would be ‘controlled’.

Former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost (pictured) told the Mail: ‘Conceding permanent EU access to our fishing grounds would be a disastrous sign of weakness’

He continued: ‘It would essentially take us back to membership of the much-hated Common Fisheries Policy’. Pictured: File photo

Critics pointed out that wages are lower in many parts of the EU and joblessness is higher, making the scheme an attractive prospect to many of the estimated 80million Europeans who would be eligible to take it up.

The youth unemployment rate stands at 26 per cent in Spain, for instance, compared with 14 per cent in the UK. Such a deal risks pushing up net migration again, angering voters and posing a political risk to Sir Keir a week after he vowed to cut the number of those settling in the UK.

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart told Sky News: ‘There are obviously very considerable disadvantages to the UK if this deal is done in the wrong way. When people hear about a youth-mobility scheme, they think about an 18-year-old coming over working at a bar. But we may well be looking at a scheme which allows 30-year-olds to come over and gain access to the NHS on day one, to claim benefits on day one to bring their extended families.’

The UK’s deal negotiator, Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, denied the scheme would betray Brexit. He said: ‘It isn’t freedom of movement. We have 13 existing youth-mobility schemes. We’ve got a scheme with Uruguay – nobody suggests we’ve got freedom of movement with Uruguay.’

However that deal is limited to 500 people each year.

Challenged to explain comments by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who indicated she opposed an EU youth mobility scheme, he replied: ‘It’s absolutely the policy of the Government is that we are going to reduce net migration.

Lib Dem Europe spokesman James MacCleary said: ‘We’ve been hounding the Government for months to sort out a capped youth mobility scheme, but they’ve been dragging their heels.’

What’s at stake – the six key sticking points: 

1. Free movement for young Europeans

The EU wants a youth-mobility scheme to give those aged 18 to 35 or so from across the bloc the right to live, work and study in Britain for three years.

For months the UK denied this was a possibility. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is known to have opposed it because of the impact it would have on politically toxic immigration figures.

But ministers belatedly admitted it was indeed on the table. They have insisted it does not constitute a return to ‘free movement’ and pointed out that the UK already has similar arrangements with other countries.

But critics say these are far smaller and argue that without a strict cap – which the EU is reportedly reluctant to include – hundreds of thousands of young adults would want to move to Britain from parts of Europe where wages are lower and unemployment is higher.

2. Cheaper fees for foreign students

As a result of Brexit, undergraduates from EU countries studying at English universities are now charged uncapped international rates rather than the £9,250 tuition fees paid by domestic students. Senior figures in Brussels are said to have called for EU students to pay the lower fees once more.

However, this would be a blow to university vice-chancellors, who have already seen crucial income from foreign students slashed because of last year’s visa restrictions.

3. Following EU rules… and judges

One of Labour’s main demands in the talks has been to cut red tape for firms exporting food and animal products to the continent. Known as a Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement, it should end most of the border checks that have held lorries up for as long as 16 hours on their way to the continent. Ministers hope this may lead to lower prices for shoppers. But it will also mean Britain must once more sign up to EU rules and update them as they change – so-called dynamic alignment – which ended with Brexit. Any disputes would again have to be resolved by the European Court of Justice.

4. French boats catching our fish

Britain’s fishermen had hoped Brexit would mean they could reclaim UK waters, but under the original deal struck by the Conservatives, EU boats were granted continued access.

This is due to end in 2026 and the EU has been arguing it should become permanent, with France even suggesting a ‘hard link’ between fishing rights and the UK’s access to defence contracts. The Tories say ministers must not agree to a lengthy deal that only benefits France.

5. British troops on Brussels missions

Military co-operation was not a feature of the Brexit deal, but Labour wants a defence and security pact in its reset with Brussels. Ministers are keen for UK arms firms to gain access to the £126million Security Action for Europe fund, set up by Brussels to help EU nations spend more on weapons. A diplomatic source told The Mail on Sunday Britain could have to pay ‘hundreds of millions’ for access.

Some fear the Defence and Security Partnership could mean British servicemen taking part in EU civilian and military operations.

6. Passport queues at EU airports

Since Brexit, UK holidaymakers and business travellers have faced long waits at airport passport barriers because they could no longer queue with EU citizens. For frequent fliers it has been one of the most visible consequences of Brexit.

Ministers want Brussels to let UK citizens use ‘e-gates’ reserved for EU passport holders, which would mean quicker transit times and a tangible sign of improved relations with the EU.

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