The environment minister has said “two can play at that game” after France made threats over fishing in UK waters – which he said were “unacceptable”.

George Eustice told Sky News the UK has issued licences to 1,700 vessels, including 750 French fishing boats, which amounts to 98% of applicants.

He said the remaining 55 vessels, despite the UK trying to help them with the data, could not prove they had fished in Jersey’s waters previously so could not get a licence under the trade and co-operation agreement with the EU.

France has detained a British scallop trawler and fined two other UK fishing vessels over the row, and has also threatened to block French ports, carry out security checks on British vessels, reinforce controls of lorries to and from the UK, reinforce customs and hygiene controls and raise tariffs.

Mr Eustice told Sky News’ Vanessa Baffoe: “The comments made by France are completely disproportionate, they’re unacceptable.

“The things they’re suggesting doing, starting to make things difficult at borders, closing ports, this is a clear breach not only of the trade and co-operation agreement but also of EU law.

“It’s not justified at all, it’s a very small number of vessels that don’t qualify under the terms of the agreement reached.

Brexit: UK gearing up for major clash with EU as it convenes committee to look at fallout from triggering Article 16 and suspending Northern Ireland cooperation

COVID-19: Measures in Wales strengthened in attempt to reduce high coronavirus case rates

Budget 2021: Voters endorse Rishi Sunak’s plans and back chancellor’s handling of economy – poll

“We’re asking France to calm this down, remove these threats, they’re not acceptable.”

Moments after Mr Eustice spoke to Sky News, the prosecutor in the French port of Le Havre, said the captain of the scallop trawler detained on Thursday will be called to appear in court in August next year.

The prosecutor’s office said the trawler did not have the required licences to operate in France’s “exclusive economic zone” – something the captain denies.

Last night, Brexit minister Lord Frost held a meeting of Brexit ministers and the French ambassador to the UK is meeting Foreign Secretary Liz Truss later today about the issue.

Related posts:

NHS staff were expecting bigger pay rise than government’s offer, MPs told ‘Possible’ putting India on red list earlier might have prevented impending lockdown delay – minister Lockdown easing delayed until 19 July as Delta variant cases rise Nothing appears to have changed in the data – so why has the roadmap been delayed? England footballer Tyrone Mings hits back at Priti Patel after taking the knee comment PM faces further pressure from Conservative MPs over lockdown easing PM and Patel accused of ‘stoking’ actions of ‘vocal minority’ after racist abuse of England players ‘Reasonable’ for PM to take holiday, says cabinet minister – as Johnson ‘enjoys Marbella break’ Boris Johnson faces more difficulties over Downing Street parties probe as he clings to power Sir Keir Starmer confirms he has received death threats following PM’s Jimmy Savile remarks ‘We’re on the edge of a precipice’: PM warns of ‘very dangerous’ situation in Ukraine amid Russia invasion fears Russia will face ‘protracted crisis’ if it invades Ukraine, Johnson and Biden warn