International

French detention of British trawler highlights tensions in UK-EU fishing deal

Tuesday, 20 May 2025 12:18AM UTC

The recent arrest of a British fishing vessel by French authorities underscores the fragile state of post-Brexit negotiations, as new UK-EU agreements extend fishing rights but spark criticism from British fishermen and political figures.

French authorities have recently intensified their scrutiny of fishing activities in their waters, leading to the detention of a British-flagged trawler, the Francesca TO 80. This incident unfolded on a Saturday when the vessel was intercepted approximately 30 nautical miles—equivalent to about 55 kilometres—off the island of Batz, where it was suspected of fishing without the necessary licence. The boat, registered to an address in Truro, Cornwall, was escorted to Brest, with prosecutors initiating an inquiry into the alleged violations of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.

The arrest occurred just as the UK and European Union were finalising a significant new agreement aimed at recalibrating their post-Brexit relationship. This timeline adds a layer of complexity to the situation, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had, within days, heralded a landmark deal designed to ease trade barriers and enhance cooperation across several sectors, including agriculture and fisheries. As part of this new arrangement, access rights for European trawlers to UK waters have been extended for an additional 12 years, a move that has elicited mixed reactions.

Starmer's administration has positioned the agreement as an essential step for UK economic revitalization, forecasting potential benefits amounting to £9 billion annually by 2040. Key elements of the deal include enhanced collaboration on defence and security, reduced bureaucratic impediments to food exports, and measures to increase temporary work and study opportunities for young people. However, the extension of fishing rights has drawn criticism from various quarters, including prominent fishing industry representatives, who view it as a betrayal of British fishing interests. For stakeholders like the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, this compromise represents a significant sacrifice, made in exchange for broader trade advantages that seem to favour agricultural and retail sectors.

The ongoing tensions surrounding fishing rights reflect a broader narrative of the UK's post-Brexit realities. The fishing industry, which had been a salient point during the Brexit negotiations, now finds itself caught in a contentious debate, with many feeling that their livelihoods are being traded away for more lucrative agreements in other sectors. Industry insiders argue that while the easing of trade barriers is commendable, it should not come at such a high cost to national fishing sovereignty.

Critics of the recent deal, including former Brexit supporter Nigel Farage and other right-wing politicians, have vocally opposed the fishing provisions, framing them as an unwelcome compromise. They contend that the UK should have served its own fishing sector better, particularly given the promises made during the Brexit campaign to reclaim control over national waters.

Amidst these discussions, the British Prime Minister's rhetoric has shifted towards fiercely attacking Labour's approach to negotiations with the EU. Boris Johnson has recently accused Starmer of capitulating to European interests, suggesting that the Labour leader's strategy undermines the hard-won victories of Brexit and potentially jeopardises the future of the British fishing fleet. His characterisation of Starmer as “Two-tier Keir” encapsulates the political tensions that are likely to dominate future discussions surrounding UK-EU relations and national sovereignty.

The interplay of local fishing incidents and overarching trade negotiations presents a multifaceted challenge for the UK government. As stakeholders in the fishing industry voice their concerns, the question remains whether this new agreement will restore stability and growth, or further complicate the already fraught landscape of post-Brexit UK-EU dynamics. Moving forward, the outcomes of this incident and subsequent governmental responses could have lasting implications for the fishing industry and the broader economic landscape.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2057415/british-fishing-crew-arrested-France - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.ft.com/content/47adc80f-ab03-49a1-9f7e-1a5962e71b83 - The UK and EU have announced a significant reset of their post-Brexit relationship, encompassing multiple areas of cooperation. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled agreements on defence, security, trade, and mobility. Highlights include biannual foreign policy dialogues, UK participation in EU defence exercises, and cooperation on cybersecurity and space. A new 12-year fisheries deal guarantees EU boat access to UK waters until 2038 based on historic catches.
https://apnews.com/article/3181228316c3d0cd736ecbf93a1eff43 - Five years after Brexit, the UK and EU have signed new agreements marking a renewed chapter in bilateral relations. During the first formal summit since the UK's departure from the EU, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrated deals focused on trade, defense, and youth mobility. Key developments include easing trade barriers by cutting border checks and aligning food standards, which aim to revive crimped exports and benefit the UK economy. A defense pact allows UK access to a €150 billion EU loan program for military procurement, partly to support Ukraine. Other agreements involve extending EU fishing rights in UK waters until 2038, enhanced youth mobility for temporary work and study exchanges, and expedited airport procedures for UK travelers via EU e-gates.
https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/uks-food-sellers-welcome-eu-deal-but-fishermen-feel-betrayed-2025-05-19/ - A new UK-EU agreement to reduce border bureaucracy has been welcomed by British food producers and retailers, who anticipate lower costs and more efficient trade. The deal significantly lessens paperwork and checks for animal and plant product trade, preserving food safety standards and facilitating smoother operations that had been hampered by Brexit-related barriers since 2021. Industry representatives like the Food and Drink Federation noted a one-third drop in food and drink exports to the EU since 2019, highlighting the importance of this shift. Small businesses and major retailers, including Marks & Spencer and members of the British Retail Consortium, expressed relief over the changes, citing improved supply chain stability and reduced operational pressures. However, the deal includes a controversial 12-year mutual access to fishing waters, which has triggered backlash from the UK fishing sector. Industry representatives, such as the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, criticized the compromise as a betrayal, arguing that fishing rights had been sacrificed for broader trade benefits.
https://www.ft.com/content/d4eb444f-d867-40db-8f1c-5469b958be85 - On May 19, 2025, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a new "reset" agreement with the European Union aimed at improving post-Brexit UK-EU relations. The deal, signed at Lancaster House, includes provisions such as a youth mobility scheme, a 12-year extension for EU fishing rights in UK waters, and dynamic alignment with future EU food trade regulations. While Starmer positioned the agreement as a practical step to enhance UK economic and national interests—predicting £9bn in annual benefits by 2040—critics including Nigel Farage and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch condemned it as a betrayal of UK sovereignty.
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/hold-britain-poised-reset-trade-defence-ties-with-eu-2025-05-18/ - On May 19, 2025, the UK and the European Union finalized a landmark trade and defence agreement, marking the most significant reset in relations since Brexit. The comprehensive deal includes a security and defence pact, reduced restrictions on British food exports, simplified travel for UK visitors to the EU, and a controversial 12-year fishing access agreement. Prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump's global policies, the agreement reflects a shift toward closer cooperation amid geopolitical instability. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the accord at a joint press event with EU leaders, describing it as the start of a "new era." The pact could add nearly £9 billion to the UK economy by 2040, reduce trade barriers, enhance energy security, and allow UK firms to participate in a €150 billion European rearmament initiative. While enabling young people to work across borders and potentially restoring the Erasmus+ program, the agreement faced criticism from Brexit proponents like Nigel Farage and the opposition Conservative Party, who argued it undermines UK sovereignty. Despite not rejoining the EU, the deal aims to improve strained relations and restore economic and political stability, with Labour officials emphasizing practical gains over ideological purity.
https://www.ft.com/content/04bf9ddc-1abf-4641-a4e3-f9b5f2689ebb - Nine years after the Brexit referendum, the UK’s new agreement with the EU under the Labour government marks a modest but symbolically significant step towards closer cooperation. The centerpiece is a security and defence pact that formalizes collaboration in military training, cyber and space security, infrastructure resilience, and hybrid threats. This agreement also opens the door for UK participation in the EU's €150bn Security Action for Europe procurement fund. Economically, the deal includes a veterinary agreement to ease agrifood exports and aligns emissions trading systems, potentially adding £9bn to the UK economy by 2040. However, the UK has accepted dynamic alignment with EU rules in certain areas and extended EU fishing access to UK waters for 12 years, prompting criticism from rightwing parties as a loss of sovereignty and a betrayal of the fishing industry. While the Labour government has maintained red lines against rejoining the single market or customs union, the deal reflects a shift towards more pragmatic relations. With Europe facing rising security challenges, the agreement serves as a foundation for a deeper realignment, recognizing the UK's need to foster stronger ties with its principal trade and security partner.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative includes recent events such as the detention of a British trawler and ongoing UK-EU trade negotiations, indicating a relatively high level of freshness. However, some background information may be based on older contexts.

Quotes check

Score: 4

Notes: There are no direct quotes in the text, making it difficult to verify the accuracy of attributed statements or find original sources.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from the Express, a known but not always highly regarded source. The lack of specific quotes or references from primary sources also affects reliability.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims about the arrest and the ongoing UK-EU negotiations seem plausible, given the recent context of Brexit and fishing rights disputes. However, political rhetoric and interpretations may vary.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative appears to be recent and plausible, given the context of UK-EU relations and fishing disputes. However, the lack of direct quotes and variable source reliability means the accuracy cannot be fully confirmed.

UK fishing industry
France
Brexit
UK-EU relations
Trade agreement