Fears that last year’s “scallop wars” could be repeated are growing in France

France

The country is preparing for violent confrontations between British and French fishermen in the event of a no-deal Brexit, according to a government advisory body.

The Social, Economic and Environmental Council warned of the “potentially dramatic consequences of Brexit” for the French fishing industry without an agreement between Britain and the EU.

The report forecast confrontations on a greater scale than those that took place in the Channel over scallop fishing rights last summer.

The council said about 200 French fishing boats obtained up to 60 per cent of their annual catch in British waters.

It added that 1,300 jobs and annual revenue of €150 million would be lost if French trawlers were prevented from fishing in British waters. The consequences would also be