A French fishermen’s representative told a U.K. industry representative at a recent meeting in Brussels anything that came out of the December council meeting would “pale into insignificance” alongside this blow to its industry, IntraFish publication Fishing News reported.
Fishermen said they are unable to pay back the subsidies, but the French government said they will have to repay them to be eligible for any new subsidies.
The Commission informed the French government of its decision on May 20 -- the day before French fisheries minister Michel Barnier negotiated another huge aid package to the French industry to help with high fuel prices.
France’s
