The UK government has firmly dismissed a European Union proposal to connect negotiations on post-Brexit fishing access with wider discussions on defence and security cooperation as part of Keir Starmer’s efforts to reset UK- EU relations.
Speaking before a parliamentary committee on Tuesday, Fisheries Minister Daniel Zeichner made it clear that there would be “no linkage” between talks on fishing rights and other priority areas, such as security collaboration or streamlined border controls for trade.
EU member states, particularly France, have hinted that any compromise on UK priorities may depend on concessions over future fishing access.
The current fishing agreement, established during Brexit negotiations, is set to expire in June 2026, raising concerns among European fishing nations over access to British waters.
Zeichner responded to these concerns during a session of the UK Parliament’s Environment Committee:
“The French will say what they will say, but we are absolutely determined to stand up for the interests of the U.K. fishing industry.”
He further emphasised the UK’s independent stance in the talks, “I wouldn’t believe everything that is rumored around an issue like this, because obviously there is lots and lots of speculation, but of course, we have discussions, because the transitional period comes to an end in the middle of next year. But no decisions have been taken and there is no linkage.”
Reports earlier this year, including from The Financial Times, indicated that France had been resisting engagement on a UK-EU defence pact without guarantees on continued fishing access. One EU official was quoted stating that “everything is now seen as a quid pro quo.”
However, France is not alone. Other EU nations, including Sweden, have also suggested that fishing and defence should be negotiated in tandem.
Sweden’s EU Affairs Minister, Jessica Rosencrantz, told POLITICO, “I think we have to find a way where we can do both [fishing and security] because we want to move ahead with the defense partnership but for many countries it’s important to solve the other sensitive issues as well.”
Developing a new defence agreement with Brussels is a key component of Labour leader Keir Starmer’s foreign policy agenda, particularly in response to the shifting global stance of former US President Donald Trump, who has distanced himself from European defence matters.
The EU has outlined plans for a €150 billion rearmament programme, encouraging member states to reinvest in European defence manufacturing.
According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the funds should be deployed under a “buy more European” strategy. However, the UK would be excluded from this scheme without a formal security agreement in place.
Previous Disappointments in the Fishing Sector
Zeichner was also asked whether he had seen recent remarks from Brexit minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, who hinted at a preference for more permanent arrangements.
“He probably would say that. But what we want to do is to secure the best possible outcome that we can for U.K. fisheries, and that will be a further discussion to be held in the months ahead,” Zeichner responded.
“We’re absolutely determined to stand up to the U.K. fishing industry. The fishing industry has been let down before, and I don’t intend to let that happen again.”
His stance was applauded by Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael, chair of the Environment Committee, who commented “Fishermen felt that the deal that was done at the end of the Brexit negotiations was one that did not deliver what they had expected.”
“Anything that is a further backwards step will be viewed very bleakly by the industry, and the even modest progress will still leave them quite a way short of where they want it to be.”
