A future British government would technically be able to rip up the terms of the deal, which has been described as a surrender by Labour’s political opponents including Nigel Farage. However, any such move would allow the EU to respond with huge trade tariffs.
In a move described as the ‘Reform clause’, UK and EU negotiators agreed to reopen the post-Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) to include the dates of the new arrangements.
It would allow Brussels to introduce punitive measures on British exports if European fishermen access to the UK’s coastal waters is restricted before June 30th 2038.
Confirming the move, an EU diplomat said: “A procedure will be started to include the new fisheries arrangements in the TCA.”
Both sides agreed to the plan in the wake of Reform UK topping the polls at the local elections earlier this month.
Mr Farage, the Reform leader, has claimed he would rip up the deal negotiated by Sir Keir if he became prime minister at the 2029 general election.
He told the Telegraph the agreement would be “the end of the industry with no new investment”, and described Britain as “an island without a fishing industry”.
Sir Keir’s new fishing deal has been called an insult to Britain’s coastal communities, which were promised that Labour would take back control of UK waters from Brussels as part of Brexit....<<<Read More|>>>...
