EU requests arbitration over the UK sandeel fishing ban

Published 2024년 10월 31일

Tridge summary

The European Union (EU) has initiated a dispute with the UK over the latter's ban on sandeel fishing, effective from March 2024. The ban, which prohibits EU vessels from operating in English North Sea and Scottish waters, has been challenged by the EU as a breach of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). Despite attempts for amicable resolution through consultations, no agreement was reached, leading the EU to request the formation of an arbitration tribunal under the TCA. The EU argues that the ban is non-compliant with the TCA's principles of non-discrimination, proportionality, and scientific evidence, and contradicts the commitment to environmental, social, and economic sustainability shared by both parties.

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Original content

EU requests arbitration over the UK sandeel fishing ban. The EU has decided to request the establishment of an arbitration tribunal under the dispute settlement mechanism of the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) concerning the United Kingdom’s decision to prohibit the fishing of sandeel. The arbitration tribunal would rule on the compatibility of the measure with the TCA. In effect since 26 March 2024, the prohibition of the fishing of sandeel in the English waters of the North Sea and in all Scottish waters prevents EU vessels from operating this sustainable fishery. The EU questions the compatibility of this prohibition with the TCA. For this reason, in April 2024, the EU requested consultations with the UK to find a mutually agreeable solution, formally initiating proceedings under the TCA dispute settlement mechanism. Consultations concluded without reaching such a mutually agreed solution, to which the EU remains open. The establishment of an arbitration tribunal ...

Source: Fish Focus