The Danish Fishermen’s PO has stated that it is up to Britain how it handles its EU membership situation, but it is up to the Danish government to ensure that the interests of Danish fishermen are safeguarded in negotiating an agreement with the UK to ensure continued sustainable management of fisheries.
‘Danish fishing is in many ways closely linked to UK fishing, and therefore the future of Danish fishing very much depends on a future British agreement. That is why I’m making a clear call to Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen for fishing to take a central position in the Danish Government’s priorities for the forthcoming negotiations in the EU,’ said Danish Fishermen’s Association chairman Svend-Erik Andersen.
The Danish fishing industry’s representatives have already made direct contact with both the Prime Minister and the Minister for Environment and Food with an unequivocal call to ensure Danish fisheries for the future.
He stressed the fact that any agreement with the UK needs to be not only be about fishing access, but also trade agreements, with continued access for British fish to the single market of the EU, being subject to the EU’s continued access to British waters.
The demand is that if the UK wishes to sell its fish in the single market, then it must also allow access to its waters, he said, comparing the EU deals with Norway as a blueprint for a potential UK agreement.
‘We have for many years had negotiated fishing rights in Norwegian territory, even though they are not members of the EU. This has to also be possible when negotiating independently with the UK,’ Svend-Erik Andersen said.
He also made the point that the basis for the EU fishing industry – the Common Fisheries Policy – remains unchanged by the UK referendum last week. For the moment, nothing changes and the situation of common stocks and shared waters remains in place.
‘There is absolutely no need to create any uncertainty about the terms of the Common Fisheries Policy. They are the same,’ said Svend-Erik Andersen. ‘Things are the same as they were before the referendum. That said, it is now essential that the EU and the Danish Government negotiate a good, long-term agreement with the British. It is imperative to ensure continued sustainable management of fisheries.’
