Fishing rights row: France warns UK bilateral cooperation at risk - BBC News

France has intensified pressure on the UK over post-Brexit fishing rights, warning bilateral cooperation could be at risk.

The government in Paris is angry that the UK granted 12 licences out of 47 bids for smaller vessels to fish in its territorial waters.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex has accused the UK of not respecting its Brexit deal commitments on fishing.

"Britain does not respect its own signature," he told French MPs.

"Month after month, the UK presents new conditions and delays giving definitive licences... this cannot be tolerated."

The prime minister warned that all bilateral agreements with the UK could be at risk if the European Commission did not take a tougher stance on the UK government. No details were given, but the two countries have a raft of agreements covering defence, security and border controls as well as energy and trade.

The UK's Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said the government's approach has been reasonable and fully in line with its commitments.