Rishi Sunak dismisses French fury over UK's post-Brexit curbs on key fishing waters to protect vulnerable sea bed
Rishi Sunak today dismissed French anger over post-Brexit curbs on fishing rights.
Downing Street shrugged off an official protest from Paris over the UK's decision to ban 'bottom trawling' in parts of its territorial waters.
That means fishing vessels cannot drag heavy nets along the sea bed, in response to fears that vulnerable habitats are being destroyed.
France is claiming the move breaches the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, potentially opening the door to punitive measures against Britain.
Many trawlers operating out of Boulogne depend on catches from the 13 areas subject to the restrictions.
But the PM's official spokesman said: 'We are proud of our strong record on safeguarding our oceans and the precious species that depend on them.
'The recent decision to prohibit bottom trawling - which applies to all vessels, including British ones - followed extensive consultation with a range of stakeholders, including UK and French fishing organisations.'
There will be concerns that an escalation could revive the so-called 'Scallop Wars' - when the fleets clashed over access to waters. Pictured, a French protest at Jersey in 2021
According to the Financial Times, French diplomats raised the issue at a meeting of EU ministers on March 19.
Officials from the European Commission are expected to meet UK counterparts later today.
There will be concerns that an escalation could revive the so-called 'Scallop Wars' - when the fleets clashed over access to waters.
Emmanuel Macron's party has been coming under intense pressure to act ahead of European Parliament election in June.
The UK has stressed that all fishing vessels are affected, not just French ones.
Conservation groups have also backed the action to protect the ecological balance in the 13 Marine Protected Areas, which cover around 4,000 square kilometres.
A UK government spokesman told the FT: 'We are proud of our strong record of safeguarding our oceans and the precious species that depend on them.'
'The recent decision to prohibit bottom trawling, which applies to all vessels, including British ones, followed extensive consultation with a range of stakeholders, including UK and French fishing organisations.'
Emmanuel Macron's (pictured) party has been coming under intense pressure to act ahead of European Parliament election in June
