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Speaking to journalists to announce the agreement with the EU on future trade deals, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not miss an opportunity to use fashion to hint at one of the latest controversial topics. Hundreds of small fish adorned his dark tie, which he had worn during his briefing in Downing Street.
Until recently, the issue of fishing rights in British territorial waters was the subject of intense negotiations between London and Brussels. As of Wednesday, the issue was the only thing that, according to European diplomats, is an obstacle to progress, reports DPA.
The negotiated trade agreement now provides for a transitional period of five and a half years to reduce the catch quotas of European fishermen. According to EU officials, a 25% reduction in catches has been agreed with the UK during this period. Starting in June 2026, catch quotas must be negotiated with the UK each year.
Details of the fish species in question have yet to be decided. In the transition period until mid-2026, EU fishermen will continue to have access to the fishing zone between six and twelve miles off the British coast.
During a dinner between the president of the EC, Ursula von Der Layen and Johnson, the chefs in Brussels had also recently hinted at the topic of fishing: the appetizer was mussels, whose catch is the subject of a fierce dispute between France and Great Britain. in the English Channel.
EU fishermen catch some € 650 million worth of seafood a year in UK waters. Despite its low economic weight, the sector is of great political and social importance for Member States such as France, the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland. On the other hand, for many Britons, control over their own waters has become a symbol of sovereignty regained through Brexit.
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