Today the National Federation of Fisherman’s Organisations (NFFO) took stock of the consequences of Brexit in concern to fishing. This is a paper made to show the results for the Fisheries, Fish-Farms and the whole industry as a whole. The promises made is clearly never kept and made out of thin sky. The reported was called: “BREXIT BALANCE SHEET – A report for the NFFO by Gary Taylor, former DEFRA lead fisheries negotiator” (30.09.2021). This report is the numbers I am stating as fact. Since this is directly from the industry itself and it’s grim.
NFFO would unleash this paper or report. If not to show the numbers and the wastage of the whole system. We have already seen reports and worries from parts of the industry earlier in the year. This being the Scottish Fishing Industry and Shell-Fish Farmers as well. These has stated losses and struggled to trade with Europe, which has been their main customers. This is why this report will state the totality and it’s telling a tale that needs to be told.
Barrie Deas, the Chief Executive of the NFFO writes this in the introduction: “The assessment shows that there are very few winners and a great many losers. Gary Taylor’s analysis suggests that the bulk of the UK fishing fleet is on a trajectory to incur losses amounting to £64 million or more per year, with a total loss in excess of £300 million by 2026, unless changes are secured through international fisheries negotiation” (Brexit Balance Sheet, 2021).
We are seeing a massive loss of funds, lots of British Pound Sterling, which is never earned because of the Brexit. The industry is missing out on opportunities and markets, because of the act as a “sovereign” instead of being part of the common market in the European Union.
The technical reasons are explained in the report, but the gist is this:
“The reasons for this deficit lie with:
• The terms of the TCA agreed with the EU
• The impacts of increased red tape and obstacles to trade in fisheries products
• The lack of satisfactory outcomes for UK vessels that target non-quota species and
which will be at a disadvantage as a result of the terms of the TCA
• The failure to reach annual agreements with Norway, the Faroe Islands, Greenland or
Iceland” (Brexit Balance Sheet, 2021).
Here we are seeing the details who is a gist, but they says a lot still about the lack of care or concern for the industry by the government. They have not made sure with a deal, which would have made a better impact in the TCA. Secondly, the Industry has lost a lot, because of the Third Country status and being out of the Common Market. Final and third is the lack of agreements with Norway, Faroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland. That says it all really…
Not only has the Tories and Boris Johnson given the fisheries a bad deal, they have double trouble with the trading agreements. The fisheries cannot fish in the seas, which they have shared with other sovereigns. That was a part of the common market and made it possible for vessels to fish there. Alas, the state has not only bitten the hand that feeds it, but has double crossed it. There so many elements, which the state haven’t delivered for the fishermen.
The Tories didn’t even give them bait or a hook. There are not even allowed to get those seas for certain fishermen. That says it all about the lack of care or concern in this regard. Because, the Tories promised total victory and surpluses. Instead they have delivered heavy losses and more expenses for the companies trading seafood. That says it all.
This is why fish has rotten in ports, instead of being served on plates. Peace.
MinBane 