UK-EU "Brexit reset" deal provokes mixed reactions from aquaculture and fishing sectors

The first EU-UK summit since the UK's withdrawal from the EU took place in London on 19 May, with fishing rights and food export conditions, including for fish and shellfish, among some of the key features of the agreement.

The deal, struck immediately before the summit between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council, António Costa, was described by the latter as "a new chapter in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union".

Access to fisheries was among the most controversial elements of the agreement, with the parties agreeing to "full reciprocal access to waters", in an extension beyond the original cut-off date on 30 June 2026, until 30 June 2038. This means that EU fishing boats continue to have the right to fish in UK inshore waters, between 6-12 nautical miles off the coast.

As per the previous post-Brexit deal struck in 2020, 25% of EU fishing rights are to be transferred back to UK fishers over the period. Fishing quotas will also continue to be negotiated annually with the EU and Norway.

In a statement, the European Commission said the agreement on fisheries "will increase stability and predictability for fishers on both sides of the Channel."

The UK's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs defended the deal in a separate press release, stating, "The deal protects Britain’s fishing access, fishing rights and fishing areas. As a result, there is no change to current access for coastal communities and no reduction in British quota or increase in the quota the EU is allowed to catch."

However, the fisheries agreement has been met with severe criticism and accusations of "betrayal" by the UK Government from some fishing industry representatives.

Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, described the deal as "a horror show for Scottish fishermen, far worse than Boris Johnson’s botched Brexit agreement."

“It is clear that Sir Keir Starmer made the whole deal on the backs of our fishermen and coastal communities, granting EU vessels 12 years of continuous access to UK waters at the last minute in order secure other objectives," Macdonald said via a press release.

“Any attempt by either the UK or EU to portray the new deal as a continuation of existing arrangements would be a lie, because in fact the Trade and Co-operation Agreement paved the way for annual access negotiations from 2026," Macdonald said.

“At the weekend, Sir Keir said the deal would be measured against how much it would improve job prospects and allow our communities to flourish. Giving away a national asset such as our rich and healthy fishing grounds for no discernible benefit not only fails both of these tests, but is a disgrace that will ensure the enmity of this proud industry for many years to come," Macdonald added.

However, the UK's food and drinks sector largely welcomed the deal, which will see fewer border checks on UK food exports to the EU, establishing a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Zone, which means that export of food products, including salmon and other seafood products, will now be simplified.

In a document explaining the details of the agri-food deal, the UK Government notes that despite the EU remaining the UK's largest agri-food market, "since Brexit exports are down 21% and imports down 7% (2018-2024). Many businesses have scaled back or stopped trading altogether due to increased costs, paperwork and delays at borders".

The new deal aims to significantly reduce such trade barriers for food products. Under the new agreement, for example, formerly banned British foods including some types of shellfish will once again be able to be exported to the EU. The deal also removes the obligation for health certificates for exported animal products, and eliminating routine border checks on agri-food products for both imports and exports.

Salmon Scotland, the trade body representing the UK’s biggest food export, released a statement welcoming the new agreement, arguing that this will "reduce costly delays and red tape that have cost salmon export companies an estimated £3 million a year since Brexit".

The trade body’s chief executive, Tavish Scott, attended a business reception hosted by the Prime Minister in London on Monday.

“We congratulate the UK Government on securing this deal with the EU, which will slash red tape and speed up the delivery of our premium salmon to market," Scott said in a press release. “This breakthrough eases the burden on our farmers, processors and the communities they support, and we welcome efforts to implement it at pace."

Scott said the aquaculture trade body particularly welcomed the withdrawal of physical checks on food exports, which he said "means lower costs and quicker deliveries for our customers."

“We look forward to rebuilding trade ties across Europe and will continue to press for freer access to the US and other markets to support jobs and growth in our coastal communities," he added.