With just over two months until the UK cuts the final ties that bind it to the EU, we still don’t have any kind of trade deal. In spite of the government’s blandishments about WTO rules and an “Australian-type” deal, reasons for anxiety continue to grow. What enrages in particular is the obstacle that is the British fishing industry. The briefest look at the numbers reveals that it is the stump of a tail effectively wagging a very large dog.
The figures are fascinating, not least because it shows British fishing willing to cut off the UK’s nose to spite its face. Fishing contributes about one eighth of one per cent (0,12%) to the gross domestic product of the UK, and yet is holding the UK and its economy to ransom. The current workforce of below 24 000 represents less than 1% of the national workforce of around 33 million. Our nation consumes an enormous weight of cod, yet about 83% has to be imported. In all, Britain buys in around 70% of what it consumes, and sells off about 80% of what it catches.
British fishermen catch large numbers of shellfish, 80% of which is sold into the single market, largely France and Spain. This represents around £ 430 000 000 per annum, or about a quarter by value of all fish sold. It appears that under WTO rules selling seafood into the European single market attracts a tariff which could be as high as 24%, or £ 103 200 000.
Will our fish exporters be in a position to absorb the additional cost of their goods to continental consumers, or can our government guarantee that continental fish-lovers will be willing to cough up the extra? All we can do for now is wait and see. But I’m not holding my breath.
European Movement Mid Kent 