New EU deal: reduction of food and controversial fishing rights!

New EU deal: reduction of food and controversial fishing rights!

Vereinigtes Königreich - On May 21, 2025, British Prime Minister Keir Strander presented a new agreement with the European Union that aims at closer cooperation. The agreement includes a security and defense partnership, reduced restrictions for British food producers and a new fishing agreement. These measures are intended to reduce the bureaucracy for agricultural producers and reduce food prices. Strander expects the agreement to contribute to the British economy by 2040 almost £ 9 billion ($ 12.1 billion), despite the continuing criticism of the opposition conservatives that represent the agreement as a transition to regulation.

The conservatives have criticized the agreement as the "ruler" of the EU. Nigel Farage, the chairman of the UK party reform, described it as an "absolute surrender". Some core elements of the new agreement are improved cooperation in the field of information, maritime questions and cybersecurity as well as the UK access to the EU procurement fund for defense. This also includes participation in the EUR 150 billion ($ 169 billion).

fishing rights and access to waters

One of the most controversial issues of the agreement concerns fishing rights. EU fishermen have access to British waters for another twelve years, which is sharply criticized by the Scottish Fishhermen’s Federation. UK fishermen, on the other hand, can fish under specific agreements in the EU waters, whereby quotas are determined to sustainably management the stocks. There is a transition phase to gradually leave the British fishermen more rights, while EU fishermen continue to have access to British waters.

So far, access to European waters for British fishermen has been great uncertainty, since new regulations and the negotiation of own bilateral agreements are necessary. More than 60 % of the British fishing network taxes come from the EU waters, which shows how strongly the local economy depends on it.

The agreement that came into force on January 1, 2021 had already led to considerable tensions during Brexit. It regulates the orderly leak of the United Kingdom from the EU internal market and includes numerous provisions, including those for fishing. The transition phase, in which EU fishermen is gradually withdrawn, is of crucial importance for the British fishermen who have suffered from the previous conditions.

economic effects and outlook

Despite the positive projections of the agreement, which lead to a possible increase in the British BIP by 0.3 % to 0.7 %, the expectation of long-term shrinkage of trade and investments due to the Brexit consequences remains. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimates that Brexit will reduce British trade by 15 % and reduce GDP by 4 % in the long term. It is also expected that the united kingdoms' goods exports will be 18 % below the 2019 values ​​in 2024.

The Labor government faces the challenge of increasing economic growth by reducing trading barriers with the EU. The new contract aims to address a decrease of 21 % with exports and 7 % in imports since Brexit. Despite these efforts, public support for Brexit is declining, with only 30 % of the citizens are convinced that leaving was the right decision.

Overall, the future of the British fishing sector and the entire economy remains uncertain. Future trade relationships and regulatory changes are crucial to master the challenges that result from the new reality according to Brexit.

Al Jazera
fishing and feish
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