LONDON (UK) – In what is seen as a protest against post-Brexit bureaucracy, which has stopped the export of shellfish to the EU, more than 20 shellfish lorries were parked on roads near Number 10 Downing Street and the British parliament.
Trucks sporting slogans such as “Brexit carnage” and “incompetent government destroying shellfish industry” were parked a few metres from the office of Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Police collected the details of lorry drivers.
Since the beginning of the year, many Scottish fishermen have not been able to export their stocks to European nations after the introduction of catch certificates, health checks and customs declarations, which delay delivery times, prompting buyers in the bloc to reject them.
“We strongly feel the system could potentially collapse,” said Gary Hodgson, a director of Venture Seafoods, which exports live and processed crabs and lobsters to the EU. Their trucks are also parked near the PM’s office.
“Prime Minister Boris Johnson needs to be honest with us, with himself and with the British public about the problems for the industry,” Hodgson said.
He said he cancelled several loads since December because of the tiring red tape involved with exports to the EU. He said one operator needed 400 pages of export documentation last week to board a ferry to the EU.
Protesters said the government should understand the severity of the problems they are experiencing and the impact on coastal communities.
“Many fishing communities did vote to leave but I don’t think anyone who did anticipate being constrained by documentation and restrictions that have now been thrust upon us,” Hodgson said.