Read on Twitter
1/ Is the battle over post-Brexit fishing rights the final chapter in the EU-UK trade talks? Michel Barnier seems to think a deal could land within days if both sides can overcome their differences on the issue. But the wrangling has seemingly taken a turn for the worse.
2/ It started with a claim by Barnier that the UK had 'backtracked entirely' from a proposal on how to decide future access to UK waters after a three-year transition for fishing rights. He said the Brits tabled plans last week on Monday but had rowed back on them by Thursday.
3/ Deciding what happens immediately after the three-year transition, which Barnier already considers too short, is where the 'difficulty' lies in finding an agreement over fisheries, according to the EU's negotiator.
4/ Barnier explained the Brits had offered a three-month consultation period with 'guaranteed access' for EU boats while future fishing quotas are decided if the UK chooses to shut off its waters after the end of that transition.
5/ The EU is seeking a much stronger mechanism that prevents either side from abusing the ability to shut out the other side's boats from their waters. This includes a plan for there to be 'economic and judicial' consequences if the UK or EU shut their fishing grounds.
6/ Barnier wants a cast-iron way to ensure Britain's access to the single market is forever linked to European boats' ability to fish in UK waters. This is built on the idea of cross suspension, allowing the EU to introduce punitive tariffs in other areas of the agreement.
7/ The two sides also remain at odds over a request by the UK to include just demsersal fish, such as turbot, in the deal while stripping out pelagic species, such as mackerel, from the talks. EU has also rejected excluding waters 6 to 12 miles from Britain’s coast from the deal.
8/ Another bone of contention is Britain's push to shake-up ownership rules. Barnier has described this 'additional demand' as 'renationalising' fishing vessels and wanting to 'expropriate' boats owned by Spanish and Dutch firms. He isn't confident there will be a deal on this.
9/ The great misconception yesterday was that people thought Barnier believed Britain was finally backing down on fishing rights – the complete opposite is true. EU sees UK position on fish as hard as ever and it doesn't live up to Brussels' vision of maintain stability.
10/ And this is what the UK had to say. Government source said: 'We have always been absolutely clear that the UK will have control over access to our waters and better deal for UK fishing communities. There is simply no truth to the idea that we have backtracked.'
