Guernsey fishermen appeal for better deal with EU

Fishermen in Guernsey have appealed for a better deal with the EU after the UK struck up a new agreement this week.

Pierre Le Cheminant, a fisherman on the island, said the States of Guernsey had a "golden opportunity" to achieve a deal that would benefit the fishing industry.

Discussing the current situation, he said: "I don't think there will be a fishing fleet in the future in Guernsey unless we can land back into the European ports without all this red tape."

A Policy and Resources Committee spokesperson said it would be working with the UK Government "with the aim of seeking extension of any agreement so that Bailiwick business can benefit from the same as the UK".

Mr Le Cheminant added: "The fishermen are struggling now, especially with the octopus bloom.

"A lot of the crabbers have put their boats up for sale, I believe.

"It's unworkable for exporters and it's costing the fishermen millions of pounds because these veterinary charges they put on us, at the end of the day it's the exporters that it on to us and it all comes off the price of our catch.

"Let's negotiate a better deal for fishermen, now is the time to do it."

Fellow fisherman Mick Guille itted he would like everything to go back to how it was before Brexit.

"It's never going to happen and all we're going to do is lose out," he said.

"We're not going to be on the winning side - the EU boats are going to be on the winning side."

Discussing what deal he would like to see, he said: "I think the damage is already done.

"You only have to look around, there's very little left."

Meanwhile, in Jersey ministers have travelled to Downing Street for talks.

Chief Minister Deputy Lyndon Farnham, said: "We have worked closely with the UK Government for many months to ensure Jersey's interests are properly reflected in UK-EU discussions.

"We hope to reaffirm our priorities at the highest level today, to the prime minister, of the cabinet and other EU partners.

"Detail surrounding agricultural trade and youth mobility with our European neighbours will be of particular interest to us, and we will continue to input into those discussions in the coming weeks."

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