Paris to seek legal action against UK over fishing licences

France has threatened legal recourse against the United Kingdom over post-Brexit fishing licences.

“We will ask the European Commission to initiate a legal procedure for the licences to which we are entitled. This is the highest priority, the most important," said Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune on Friday.

He also said in a tweet that apart from litigation, the government was mobilising all the levers, including dialogue, financial support and long-term investments.

Beaune made the statement after a meeting chaired by President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee between the maritime ministry, fishing groups and elected officials from the coastal regions whose fishermen have been refused licences.

After weeks of negotiations with Britain and the European Commission, France secured 23 new licences last week. But Paris insisted 60 additional licences were due and it would continue to fight for the rights of fishermen.

Macron indicated that France was not willing to settle. “We will not let go of the subject,” he said in a tweet.

READ MORE: French fishermen temporarily disrupt ports in protest over fishing rights

Post-Brexit relations

Since Brexit, fishermen from the European Union are required to obtain a fresh licence from the UK by proving that they have traditionally fished in those waters before.

France and Britain are at odds about licences in the English Channel, with Paris accusing the UK of denial of permits to French fishermen.

France has made several threats of sanctions, tightening customs, prohibiting access to seaports and cutting the power supply to Jersey Island if the UK fails to meet its demands.

Downing Street has maintained issuing the due licences as per the agreement.

READ MORE: French fishermen to block ports, traffic over dispute with UK