Boris Johnson stated this afternoon that the fishing trade could be compensated for any issues brought on by new publish Brexit customs procedures.
Johnson, echoing feedback he made final week, stated that issues on the borders, which have seen some exporters unable to promote their catch, have been “teething issues”.
Learn extra: UK firms urged to increase preparations for post-Brexit trading conditions
A fund of £23m will probably be made obtainable to these corporations which have suffered “by no fault of their very own”.
He additionally added that the problems had been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, which had hit demand for fish.
His feedback got here as quite a lot of lorries carrying shellfish have parked within the roads round Downing Avenue in protest on the new guidelines.
Greater than 20 lorries are reportedly concerned, with some bearing slogans reminiscent of “Brexit carnage”.
The Prime Minister stated: “In as far as there are issues for the time being, brought on by teething issues, individuals not filling in the fitting varieties or misunderstandings, and when it’s not individuals’s fault, in fact we’re going to compensate and to assist out,” Johnson stated.
“I perceive their frustrations and I perceive their considerations and clearly issues have been exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. Sadly, the demand in eating places on the continent for UK fish has not been what it was earlier than the pandemic.”
For the reason that begin of the yr, a raft of latest paperwork necessities has meant that fishermen have been unable to export their catch to Europe.
The necessity for catch certificates, well being checks and customs declarations has result in prolonged delays on the border, with EU patrons rejecting inventory because of this.
“We strongly really feel the system may probably collapse,” stated Gary Hodgson, a director of Enterprise Seafoods, who’s collaborating in at present’s protest.
“Prime Minister Boris Johnson must be sincere with us, with himself and with the British public in regards to the issues for the trade”.
Some corporations have warned that they threat collapse inside weeks except the friction could be sorted.
Learn extra: Boris Johnson vows to reimburse fishermen hit by Brexit ‘teething problems’
Over the weekend overseas secretary Dominic Raab stated that the delays have been “teething issues”, including that the Brexit deal may very well be an excellent alternative for the trade.
Fishing makes up roughly 0.1 per cent of the UK’s GDP, however turned a extremely symbolic challenge throughout the Brexit commerce deal negotiations.
