THURSDAY 5 MARCH 2020Navy ready to protect UK
fishing, minister warns
Access for EU boats has emerged as a key dispute in Brexit talks (AFP/Getty)
ROB MERRICK
DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR
The environment secretary has warned the EU that the UK has taken “sufficient” steps to protect its waters
after Brexit, as fears grow of a French blockade.
The royal navy boasts three extra vessels, the Home Office will provide a further four and the government
can call in help from the private sector, George Eustice said. A new control centre has been launched, 50
extra fishery protection officers have been recruited and there will be “aerial surveillance”, a House of Lords
inquiry was told. “We have significantly increased our enforcement capability,” Mr Eustice said, adding:
“We think that is sufficient.”
The extra muscle was set out after the controversy of access for EU boats emerged as a key dispute in the
post-Brexit trade talks, with Brussels demanding an agreement by the end of June. Ministers have