Michel Barnier urges the French to back down in the Brexit battle for fishing rights, but they refuse to budge

French officials yesterday refused to back down on access to UK fishing waters, despite being urged by the EU’s chief negotiator to be more “realistic” in Brexit talks.

European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune insisted that France will not sell its fishermen amid calls for a compromise.

The hardline stance came after Brussels negotiator Michel Barnier urged France and other EU coastal states to commit to their demands on fisheries in negotiations with Britain.

Yesterday French officials refused to back down on access to UK fishing waters, even though EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier (pictured) urged them to be more ‘realistic. ” in the Brexit talks.

At a meeting of EU diplomats late Wednesday, Barnier said it was “not feasible” for European trawlers to maintain the same access to UK waters that they now have.

But Mr Beaune said yesterday: “Our fishermen will not be a bargaining chip for Brexit, they will not have to pay the price of Britain’s elections.”

Speaking in the Netherlands, who also want access to UK coastal waters, he said a deal “is still possible”, but “certainly not sacrificing the interests of our fishermen.”

His intervention came when Barnier traveled to Britain ahead of talks with his counterpart Lord Frost today.

Boris Johnson has set an EU summit date of October 15 as the effective deadline to determine whether an agreement on a future relationship with Brussels can be reached by the end of the year.

He and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed at the weekend that the negotiations should “step up” in a final push toward a deal.

European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune (pictured) said yesterday: “Our fishermen will not be a bargaining chip for Brexit, they will not have to pay the price of Britain’s elections.”

At a meeting of EU diplomats on Wednesday night, Barnier said it was not “ feasible ” for European trawlers to maintain the same access to UK waters as they do now.

The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, warned yesterday that Britain must take “important steps” if Downing Street wants to reach a free trade agreement with Brussels.

He said the UK government was facing a “moment of truth” ahead of this month’s summit.

The EU heads of state and government will then decide whether to go ahead with negotiations with Great Britain or to speed up the preparations for the No Deal.

Johnson has said Britain could still walk away from the talks if a deal seems unlikely.

But Barnier told EU ambassadors late Wednesday that he believes the UK will remain at the negotiating table.

Michel, who chairs the EU summits, said Britain had failed to assuage Brussels’ concerns about key points that have hampered progress over the summer.

“To reach an agreement, we need our British friends to take important steps in the coming days, not only on fisheries, but also on a level playing field and governance,” said the former Belgian prime minister.

“Progress has been made, but it is not enough. This is the moment of truth. Now it’s up to the UK to restore confidence and put all its cards on the table. “

His comments came after talks with Irish Premier Micheal Martin, who said: “The mood seems to have changed. There has been a more intensified commitment. Mood is one thing, but you need substance to follow the mood. ‘

It was confirmed that truck drivers using the English Channel crossings in Kent will need an access permit to enter the county after the Brexit transition period ends on December 31.

The plan, originally announced last month by Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove, aims to prevent county roads from becoming clogged once customs controls with the EU are re-imposed from January 1. .