More blockades expected at ports
As Channel ports fishermen threaten more protest action P&O has been testing an alternative port – Ostend, Belgium
FISHERMEN at the Channel ports of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais have threatened more blockades to come.
The comments came as traffic returned to normal at Calais, Dunkerque and Boulogne-sur-Mer after two days of blockades over fishing quotas.
British ferry company P&O has said the latest bout of protest action made them “snap” and they have been trying out an alternative port – Ostend in Belgium, 80km up the coast.
According to The Times a P&O spokesman said they had decided there was “no law” forcing them to use Calais and they had tried one boat - Pride of Dover – at Ostend to see if it “fits.”
He added the firm was fed up with protests and blockages at Calais, which the government allowed to take place without taking strong action. “It seems there is no political will in France to really act and resolve this kind of problem,” he said.
The fishermen called off the blockades yesterday lunchtime after holding meetings to discuss government proposals.
CFTC union spokesman Bruno Dachicourt said: “We are stopping the blockade, ships will be able to move, but we are still mobilised – our movement will continue, with more protest action to come.”
The fishermen are not satisfied with an offer of €4 million compensation by Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Michel Barnier, saying “we don’t want money – we want to be able to fish.”
Mr Barnier has offered to try to negotiate some extra sole quota from other countries and has said he will work hard to see if things can be improved for next year.
He said the fishermen could accompany him to Brussels to negotiate
Photo:Afp/PhilippeHuguen
