France threatens to CUT Jersey’s energy supplies as tensions escalate over fishing licences
FRANCE has threatened to CUT Jersey's energy supplies during a trade war with Britain in a rage over post-Brexit fishing rights.
Paris complained its trawler men are being held "hostage" after Jersey refused to grant licences to 75 vessels.
It comes after the UK government granted only 12 permits to French boats to fish in its territorial waters after 47 applied.
The move ignited anger among the French government and in the fishing industry.
The tiny Channel Island is now bracing itself for a fresh blockade from furious French skippers.
Navy gunboats have been put on high alert in case they need to be sent back in to repel another armada.
Emmanuel Macron's spokesman slammed the "totally unacceptable" decision and said Paris will "push" Brussels to take action.
Annick Girardin, France’s minister of the seas said she would prepare sanctions in the next fortnight.
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She said: “We are demanding retaliatory measures at the European level.
“That includes “the energy issue” [cutting off Jersey’s electricity supply from mainland France], she added.
“But let’s also talk about welcoming students in France, rail and trade flow.
“There can be no more extra time. On every subject, the British are dragging their feet or failing to live up to their commitments.”
Jean-Pierre Pont, for the coastal town of Boulogne-sur-Mer, fumed: “Be warned. The French fishermen of Boulogne-sur-Mer may be obliged, after nine months of useless patience, to envisage ways to retaliate against the UK – for example by blocking ports or the entry of lorries towards the UK through the tunnel.”
But eurocrats baulked at the threat of a tit-for-tat tariff war and pledged to reopen talks with Downing St on a deal.
Jersey rejected a third of applications from French boats and ordered them to leave its waters within 30 days.
Vessels that couldn't demonstrate a history of fishing off the island before Brexit were turned down.
It did approve 64 full licenses and 31 temporary ones, on top of 47 trawlers already granted access.
External affairs minister Ian Gorst said the Channel Island is now braced for reprisals from spurned captains.
I expect the worst in the days or weeks to come
Fishing boss Olivier Lepretre
He said: "We acknowledge that feelings are running high in the fish community in the north of France.
"I hope there aren’t any blockades but we really do need to work together to alleviate concerns and make progress because that does remain a possibility."
Paris is pushing for tariffs on some British goods and suspension of cooperation on energy in response.
Fisheries minister Annick Girardin fumed: "French fishing should not be taken hostage by the British for political ends.
"This is another refusal to implement the conditions of the Brexit deal.
“We ask the EU Commission to put in place the retaliatory measures that are in the agreement."
Olivier Lepretre, boss of the powerful Hauts-de-France fisheries committee, warned temperatures are rising.
He said: "There is a strong tension on the docks, and I expect the worst in the days or weeks to come.
"There comes a time when pressure must be put on the British side which is not respecting its commitments."
Loïg Chesnais-Girard, president of the Brittany region, said Jersey fishermen could be denied access to its ports in revenge.
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He raged: "It is a feeling of anger that drives me. This situation is unacceptable.
"Together fishermen, authorities, Europe, must come together to make the UK see reason again."
Boulogne MP Jean-Pierre Pont said fishermen could blockade the Channel Tunnel and port of Calais to stop British goods getting through.
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Brussels' response was lukewarm with many other countries reluctant to get dragged into a trade war with the UK over a French dispute.
The Commission expressed "regret" the row hasn't been resolved but said it will "continue to engage" with No 10 on a solution.