Just days before Sir Keir Starmer’s ‘Great Reset Summit’ with the EU, his supposed plans to submit to the bloc’s fishing demands have been staunchly opposed in a new poll, Facts4EU and GB News can reveal.
Starmer's Government is allegedly planning to grant European boats greater access to UK waters, a move that experts have warned will be “selling the industry down the river” if a new post-Brexit deal fails to deliver benefits for British fisheries.
A major trade agreement with the EU is close to being finalised that would boost Britain's defence industry as part of the bloc’s €150billion (£127billion) defence fund in exchange for concessions on fishing rights.
However, a poll commissioned by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has revealed that a high majority of Scots oppose any alleged deal.
Starmer has yet to discuss the numerous deals which are being negotiated ahead of the May 19 summit
GETTY/PA
Almost nine out of 10 Scots believe it is the UK that should have full powers over which fleets fish in the UK EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone).
Some 87 per cent say the UK should decide access to UK waters for EU boats, whilst 81 per cent believe that the UK should demand something from the EU in return for any access.
In a part of the UK where more people voted in the EU Referendum against Brexit than for it, only 3.2 per cent of pollsters disagreed.
The region which backed “benefits in return for access” the most was the Highlands and Islands, at a humongous 91 per cent.
This was closely followed by Mid Scotland and Fife at 89 per cent, with North East and Central Scotland at 84 per cent respectively.
LATEST FROM STARMER'S BREXIT-BACKSLIDING:
Experts have warned the move would 'sell the industry down the river'
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Starmer has yet to discuss the numerous deals which are being negotiated ahead of the May 19 summit
PAGlasgow came next at 83 per cent, with Lothian coming in last place, with still an incredibly high 81 per cent in favour of “benefits in return for access”.
Starmer has yet to discuss the numerous deals which are being negotiated ahead of the May 19 summit.
Back in 2016, in the run-up to the EU referendum, Leave campaigners promised to "take back control" of British waters and fishing quotas.
This meant ending the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and establishing a new UK fisheries regime.
Ex-Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "This new Fisheries Bill will allow us to create a sustainable, profitable fishing industry for all of the UK.
"It will regenerate coastal communities, take back control of our waters and, through better conservation measures, allow our precious marine environment to thrive."
Yesterday, Holyrood politicians urged the SNP to axe support for the EU Common Fisheries Policy in a bid to block Starmer from flirting with the possibility of selling out British anglers.
Conservatives’ Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Fishing, Tim Eagle MSP, who introduced the debate, said: "Scotland's fishing communities must not be sold out again.
“We're calling on the UK Government to stand firm in upcoming negotiations and ensure our fleets get a fair return for any access granted,” he added.
Pointing to the fisheries section of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, Eagle explained that the current situation required a “great deal of improvement”, admitting that swathes of Scottish fishermen were “deeply unhappy” with numerous aspects of the policy.
Scottish anglers are concerned that Keir Starmer will use UK waters as a dispensable negotiating toolPAPlease write at least 4 paragraphs
Large seabirds also get caught as the netting is launched over the back of the vesselFacts4EUNegotiations for a new deal are due to start imminently since the deadline for the previous policy to expire is in June 2026.
GB News and Facts4EU have also revealed that EU fishermen are wreaking havoc in UK waters, both by killing animals and causing horrific environmental damage.
The exclusive investigation revealed that fishermen are indiscriminately killing UK mammals, seabirds, and marine life using cruel methods, whilst also dumping tonnes of plastic waste and discarded fishing nets into Britain’s waters.
Shocking images show a graveyard of washed-up creatures who have died distressing deaths through drowning or dismemberment as they try for hours to pull free.
In response to the distressing scenes and with negotiations officially underway on a new EU-UK fishing deal, fishermen have launched the UK Fisheries Campaign (UKFC).
The campaign to reclaim sovereignty over UK waters is gaining momentum, with prominent politicians getting behind it, including Tim Eagle MSP, Member of the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, representing the Highlands and Islands Region.
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