The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has responded to the approved Brexit guidelines adopted in Brussels earlier as a “vindication of everything we have done since June 23rd, 2016 and the culmination of an extensive programme of high-end political engagement and lobbying.”
Like its European Fisheries Alliance (EUFA) colleagues, the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has, at all times, recognised the importance of Brexit negotiations for the future of Irish fisheries. 
KFO Chief Executive, Seán O’Donoghue said:
 
“We reacted very swiftly in forming alliances with our European counterparts to establish the European Fisheries Alliance in September 2016. Each member impressed upon its Head of Government how the level of uncertainty and the scale of the challenge facing their fishermen merited special attention, hence our insistence that trade and fisheries be inextricably linked at all times in the negotiations. Happily, we are now at a stage whereby we can see that our very legitimate concerns are being listened to but we cannot afford to concede any ground whatsoever as these extremely important negotiations now move onto phase two.
 
“I’m particularly pleased that the guidelines adopted today by the EU 27 make specific reference to fisheries by stating in paragraph 8.i: ‘In the overall context of the FTA, existing reciprocal access to fishing waters and resources should be maintained.’ This is exactly what we had requested in terms of linkage with wider trade negotiations and the maintenance of reciprocal access to fishing waters and resources. It comes only a few days after the welcome agreement in principle on a transition period up to the end of 2020 announced by EU Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier and the UK Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis MP confirming that all existing fisheries arrangements remain in place until that date”.
 
He concluded: “We now stand ready to support the European Commission and the EU27 during the next phase of negotiations on the future framework. Maintaining reciprocal access to waters and resources as agreed in the guidelines today should be at the heart of the post-Brexit relationship in fisheries given the historic ties and inextricable links between our countries and industries. I would like to acknowledge the role played by the Irish Government as well as our Minister Michael Creed and his officials in reaching this particular agreement.”
 
The KFO has always maintained that the €1.15billion Irish fishing industry which sustains more than 14,500 jobs, must be a top priority for our Government. The formal adoption of the guidelines today is seen as another key step as the Brexit process gathers momentum. The guidelines give Michel Barnier, the mandate to talk directly to the UK about the future relationship with a view to reaching a broad political agreement by October to allow the EU and UK parliaments time to consider it.
 
Note to editor:
The European Fisheries Alliance is a coalition of European fishing fleets directly impacted by Brexit. Members include national organizations from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden. The alliance accounts for over 18,000 fishermen and 3,500 vessels with an annual turnover €20.7 billion.
 
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The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has welcomed the agreement in principle on a transition period announced yesterday by EU Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier and the UK Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis MP.
Like its European Fisheries Alliance (EUFA) colleagues, the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has at all times, recognised that its members need time and predictability to make appropriate plans for the future. A transition period that maintains relative stability will ensure the continued sustainability of stocks and economic competitiveness for the fishing industry in the EU and the UK while an acceptable long-term deal is negotiated.
The European Fisheries Alliance is a coalition of European fishing fleets directly impacted by Brexit. Members include national organizations from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden. The alliance accounts for over 18,000 fishermen and 3,500 vessels with an annual turnover €20.7 billion.
KFO Chief Executive, Seán O’Donoghue said:
 
“This announcement on the transition period is an important step forward. It gives our fleet certainty until the end of 2020 and allows time to negotiate a post-Brexit fisheries relationship which is in the interest of both sides. We have always maintained that it is vital to maintain existing access to waters and resources and to conduct negotiations in the context of wider trade relations
 
We now stand ready to support the European Commission and the EU27 during the next phase of negotiations on the future framework. Maintaining reciprocal access to waters and resources should be at the heart of the post-Brexit relationship in fisheries given the historic ties and inextricable links between our countries and industries. It is now imperative that Minister Creed build on progress to date by fighting tooth and nail to ensure the commitments set out in the draft text are retained in the final document to be agreed at Council by the end of the month. We cannot afford to concede a single inch as these extremely important negotiations reach a finale.”
 
The KFO recognises the importance of involving the UK in a meaningful way in the annual discussions on total allowable catches (TACs) and fishing opportunities during the transition. The progress made on the draft Withdrawal Agreement, including the transition period, is a step in the right direction and the KFO would like to acknowledge the work carried out by EUFA, the European Commission’s Task Force 50 and Irish Government. The KFO has always maintained that the €1.15billion Irish fishing industry which sustains more than 14,500 jobs, must be a top priority for our Government as Ireland faces the enormity of Brexit drawing ever closer. The level of uncertainty and the scale of the challenge facing Irish fishermen has been causing the industry many sleepless nights since the British voted for Brexit on June 23rd, 2016 hence its insistence that trade and fisheries be inextricably linked at all times in high-level negotiations. 
 
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​New draft guidelines published by the European Council this week, have been very positively received by the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation. Its key concerns of avoidance of separation from other sectors as well as the retention of existing reciprocal access to fishing waters and resources are fully recognised in the draft text.
The draft guidelines, issued by the Council which sketch out the likely course of negotiations on the future relationship between the EU and the UK, make specific reference to fisheries in article seven which states:
 “Trade in goods, with the aim of covering all sectors, which should be subject to zero tariffs and no quantitative restrictions with appropriate accompanying rules of origin. In this context, existing reciprocal access to fishing waters and resources should be maintained.”
This good news comes on top of the transitional guidelines issued by the Council on January 29th last, which clearly states that during the transition period: “Specific consultations should also be foreseen with regard to the fixing of fishing opportunities (total allowable catches) during the transition period, in full respect of the Union acquis.” [1]
KFO Chief Executive, Seán O’Donoghue commented: “The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has lobbied intensely, in conjunction with our European Fisheries Alliance (EUFA) colleagues, to have these key commitments included both in the transitional arrangements and in the phase two trade negotiations. I would like to acknowledge the role played by Minister Creed and his officials in achieving this welcome result. I would simultaneously like to put on record it is now imperative that the Minister and his team fight tooth and nail to ensure the commitments set out in the draft text are retained in the final document to be agreed at Council by the end of this month.  
“I held lengthy discussions with the French Ambassador, Stéphane Crouzat in Killybegs this week and he has developed a deep appreciation of the situation in which the Irish fishing industry finds itself. The French industry too, would be decimated were the UK to restrict access to its waters and increase its percentage share of the TACs,” concluded Mr O’Donoghue.  
EU chief negotiator, Michel Barnier has also last week, reiterated his message that the issue of fisheries cannot be addressed in isolation from the wider trade agreement which is what the KFO and EUFA have stated from the outset. Both firmly believe that the unique nature of fisheries, a shared resource, must be considered within the context of wider trade relations as has now been set out in the draft guidelines.
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Seán O’Donoghue
087 419 6535