The deal that allows European Union fisherman access to UK waters is up in June 2026, and industry representatives are concerned that Labour may be about to grant EU vessels continued access without anything in return. After Sir Keir Starmer's government promised an EU relations "reset" after taking office last year, fisheries experts are worried that a remodelled relationship between Britain and Brussels may require Downing Street to give ground on the UK fishing industry.

Mike Cohen, chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, told Channel 4 News that the UK should revise its fishing arrangements with the EU before the 2026 agreement expires. “The EU has already opened the door to that revision,” he said.

He added: "They’ve already said they don’t like the term that was agreed in 2020 that said after this first five-year period they’ll have to negotiate every year to get access to British waters. They want to change that to a long-term deal on access."

However, the industry representative emphasised that the Government must not give European boats long-term access to the UK's waters in exchange for nothing.

"If that’s contemplated by our government then I want them to get something in return. That’s a really valuable thing and valuable things have to be paid for", he said.

A UK government spokesperson said: “No final agreement has been made. We are not providing a running commentary on our discussions with the EU, these are ongoing and cover a wide range of issues.

“We have been clear that we will always act in the national interest to secure the best outcomes for the UK.”