A massive Brexit row threatens to erupt after the European Union announced plans to take the UK to court over its tough new rules to protect puffins.
The European Commission said on Friday (October 25) that it will trigger a dispute settlement mechanism over Britain’s post-Brexit blanket ban on fishing sand eels.
These slippery eel-like fish are a favourite food of endangered seabirds, including puffins, and a popular catch among EU fishing fleets.
Brussels argues that the ban on fishing sand eels in England’s North Sea waters and all Scottish seas prevents EU vessels from operating a “sustainable” fishery.
The UK and Scottish governments’ move to stop sand-eel fisheries came after 25 years of campaigning by green groups and charities, including the RSPB.
They argued that climate change and the overfishing of sand eels have depleted populations, with a “devastating” impact on seabirds such as puffins, kittiwakes and razorbills.
A seabird census in 2023 found that the breeding of more than half the seabird species along the coasts of Britain and Ireland has declined in the last 20 years.
The EU demanded talks with the UK in April to reach an agreement, but the consultations “concluded without reaching a mutually agreed solution”, according to Brussels.
Establishing an arbitration tribunal under the dispute settlement mechanism of the EU–UK post-Brexit trade deal, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), is the next step.
The issue represents a dilemma for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who has said he wants to “reset” relations with the bloc. However, the UK’s policy is popular with Brits.
A government consultation carried out in 2023 found more than 95% of respondents support some form of ban on fishing for sand eel in England’s North Sea waters. A majority favoured the closure of all English waters.
Furious conservationists have said Britain has a right to decide what wildlife it seeks to protect, while the EU Association of Fish Producers has insisted a “sustainable” sand-eel fishery makes sure humans use a surplus after predatory fish, birds, and mammals “have had their share”.
Scores of campaign groups, including Birdlife International, the Marine Conservation Society, ClientEarth, and Oceana UK, have backed Britain’s ban.
According to the BBC, Danish fishing vessels are the most affected by the ban as they catch 250,000 tonnes of sand-eels annually in British waters.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been approached for comment.