France seizes British trawler in post-Brexit row over fishing rights

France seized a British trawler fishing in its territorial waters without a licence on Thursday and issued a warning to a second vessel in a dispute over access to fishing grounds after Brexit.

Furious that Britain has refused to grant its fishermen the full number of licences to operate inside British waters that France says is warranted_ Paris announced retaliatory measures on Wednesday if there was no progress in talks.

The French government said it would from Nov. 2 impose extra customs checks on British goods entering France_ raising the prospect of more economic pain before Christmas for Britain_ which faces labour shortages and rising energy prices.

It is also reviewing a second round of sanctions and does not exclude a review of its exports of electricity to Britain_ which left the European Union on Jan. 31_ 2020.

"It`s not war_ but it is a fight_" France`s Seas Minister Annick Girardin told RTL radio.

European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune signalled France would be forceful in the dispute.

"So now_ we need to speak the language of strength since that seems to be the only thing this British government understands_" Beaune told news channel CNews.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson`s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the detained trawler.

Britain has said France`s planned acts of retaliation will be met with an appropriate and calibrated response.

"France`s threats are disappointing and disproportionate and not what we would expect from a close ally and partner_" a British government spokesperson said.
Barrie Deas_ head of Britain`s National Federation of Fishermen`s Organisations_ said Britain was issuing licences in line with the terms of the post-Brexit trade agreement and that France appeared determined to escalate the licence row.

"I suppose we have to wonder why. There is a presidential election coming up in France and I think all the signs are that the rhetoric has been ramped up ahead of that on the fishing issue_" Deas told the BBC.

French President Emmanuel Macron has not yet confirmed he will seek a second term in April`s election but is widely expected to run.