Eleventh hour talks between the EU and UK on the final fisheries element of the post-Brexit free trade negotiations are said to be “extremely difficult”, sources have told @rtenews .
2/ It’s understood that member states are being appraised of the EU’s latest offer, which would see a 25pc cut in the value of the fish quotas caught by EU boats - including Irish vessels - in UK waters.
3/ According to one EU official, the offer made by the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier would be worth €160 million to the British fisheries industry.
The UK has been pressing for more than double that, which would translate to some 60pc of the fish caught in UK waters.
The UK has been pressing for more than double that, which would translate to some 60pc of the fish caught in UK waters.
4/ It’s understood the eight EU coastal member states are assessing the extent of the losses to European fishing communities. They have been discussing burden sharing in recent weeks in an attempt to ensure that no one member state suffers the most.
5/ There have been intense contacts between the EU’s negotiating team in Brussels and senior officials in national capitals.
6/ According to figures seen by @rtenews, the Barnier offer - which is said to be final - would mean a cut in mackerel stocks worth €47 million, while sole in the North Sea would be cut by €12 million, herring by €8 million and prawn by €5 million.
7/ The UK has demanded a phase in period of three years after which the EU would have to enter into annual negotiations to work out access to UK waters and quota share.
The EU’s opening offer was 10 years, but it’s understood that has come down to a six year phase in period.
The EU’s opening offer was 10 years, but it’s understood that has come down to a six year phase in period.
8/ One diplomat told RTE News the talks were “extremely difficult” and could go on beyond the weekend.
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