Brexit: Barnier says things will be 'more difficult' for UK
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Fishermen operating out of the port are among those with the most at stake given Boulogne is arguably the centre of the French fishing industry. The strategic port has also been a key battleground as furious French fishermen protesting against the Brexit deal staged a blockade there earlier this month.
Pictures of Mr Barnier meeting fishing industry leaders were shared on Twitter yesterday by Daniel Fasquelle, Mayor of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage as well as a member of France’s National Assembly for The Republicans, the same party as Mr Barnier.
Mr Fasquelle yesterday posted a series of messages which were retweeted by Mr Barnier, who is widely believed to be ready to challenge French President Emmanuel Macron next year.
Mr Fasquelle said: “Michel Barnier met fishermen from the Etaples Maritime Cooperative in the heart of the port of Boulogne, France’s leading fishing port with a diversified fleet of nearly 150 boats.
“It was interesting for the former negotiator and European leader for the Brexit to meet fishermen and to have a frank and open dialogue on all subjects.
“We met 15 of them aboard Bruno Margollé and his sons’ boat.”
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Mr Fasquelle added: “Given my position, I have always stood alongside these passionate men and women who give the best of themselves to feed us.
“The British do not yet realise the consequences of Brexit, which involves leaving more than 600 international agreements.
“Fishermen cannot be caught up in these political matters, and Michel Barnier remains a staunch defender of the fishing industry.”
A French insider warned of more potential protests in the weeks to come, saying: “The UK Government appears slow to act in granting licences, despite them receiving the information from us via the European Commission weeks ago.
“This is concerning and we urge the UK to urgently act or else we could be facing another Jersey scenario.”
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6.58am update: Now THAT’s sweet! Liz Truss’s NZ Brexit masterstroke to rake in eye-watering £2.3BN a year
Liz Truss’s incoming trade deal with New Zealand will be worth more than £2.3billion a year – and will slash tariffs on a range of UK exports including chocolate and gin.
The International Trade Secretary has revealed she and her team are currently working “round the clock” to finalise the agreement, which she described as a “win-win for both countries” as well as an important step towards accessing the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
As well as chocolate and gin, buses and clothes are among a list of British products on which tariffs of up to 10 percent could be dumped in a move that would encourage Kiwis to buy British.
In return, high-quality New Zealand products including wine, food and drink could be tariff-free in UK shops.
6.45am update: Barnier wades into fishing row
Michel Barnier has barged into France’s ongoing fishing dispute with the UK with a visit to Boulogne, whose Mayor pointedly described the former EU Brexit negotiator as a “staunch defender of the fishing industry”.
Pictures of Mr Barnier meeting fishing industry leaders were shared on Twitter yesterday by Daniel Fasquelle, Mayor of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage as well as a member of France’s National Assembly for The Republicans, the same party as Mr Barnier.
Mr Fasquelle yesterday posted a series of messages which were retweeted by Mr Barnier, who is widely believed to be ready to challenge French President Emmanuel Macron next year.
Mr Fasquelle said: “Michel Barnier met fishermen from the Etaples Maritime Cooperative in the heart of the port of Boulogne, France’s leading fishing port with a diversified fleet of nearly 150 boats.”
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