Boris Johnson promises payments to fishermen hit by Brexit trade obstacles

British PM announces £23m fund for industry hurt by bureaucratic snarls

A fisherman processes a freshly caught dogfish while trawling in the English Channel from the Port of Newhaven, UK. Bloomberg

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said fishermen hit by Brexit trade disruption will receive payments from the government after new paperwork snarled up fish exports to the EU.

“We’ll make sure they get help,” Mr Johnson said on Monday as he announced a £23 million ($31.2m) compensation fund for the fishing industry.

The money is to help businesses that have been held up by “bureaucratic delays” through no fault of their own, he said.

The concession to fishermen comes as the industry, which largely supported Brexit, has struggled with new Customs processes and formalities to sell their catch into the EU, their biggest export market.

Lorries carrying fish were driven around Westminster in protest on Monday, and last week the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation said there was “great anger” towards Mr Johnson over his trade agreement with the EU.

“Many in the seafood supply chain fear they will not survive,” said Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the lobby group.

“Your deal has failed the industry in the short term.”

Fishermen now need documents such as export health and catch certificates to send their produce to the EU.

There has been a shortage of veterinary professionals to issue the documents, causing delays.

Boats have been tied up in harbours because of a steep reduction in EU demand.

James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink, said compensation would only buy the industry a little time, and called for Customs checks on fish exports to the EU to be suspended.

“We need time to get systems properly built up as they keep falling down,” Mr Withers said.

“All our warnings that systems weren’t ready have sadly proved true.”