British fishing firm can appeal against a controversial decision to hand lucrative fishing licences near the Falkland Islands to foreign rivals

  • It emerged last week that £75 million of licences were given to foreign firms
  • Companies from Norway, Chile and New Zealand  got licences worth £75 million
  • But applications from two British-based companies were rejected

A British fishing firm has won the right to appeal against a controversial decision to hand lucrative fishing licences to foreign rivals.

It emerged last week that £75 million of licences in the South Atlantic have been handed to firms from Norway, Chile and New Zealand, while applications from two British-based companies were rejected.

Six licences allowing access to 200 square miles around the British overseas territory of South Georgia – near the Falkland Islands – for four years were granted in February.

Boris Johnson, pictured, was accused of betraying UK fishermen after he gave lucrative licenses to foreign firms

Boris Johnson, pictured, was accused of betraying UK fishermen after he gave lucrative licenses to foreign firms

The row erupted after it emerged that £75million worth of licences in the South Atlantic have been handed to firms from Norway, Chile and New Zealand. Applications from two British-based companies ¿ South Georgia Fisheries and Fortuna Ltd ¿ were rejected

The row erupted after it emerged that £75million worth of licences in the South Atlantic have been handed to firms from Norway, Chile and New Zealand. Applications from two British-based companies – South Georgia Fisheries and Fortuna Ltd – were rejected

The owner of one of the rejected firms launched a judicial review into the decision, and the High Court in London has ruled that he can appeal.

Rupert Street, of South Georgia Fisheries, welcomed the decision and said it showed ‘the law in Britain is here to help us’.

Mr Street said: ‘I am delighted to have won the first stage of the judicial review process so quickly. We will be taking this all the way.

‘By taking this action on behalf of British fishing interests we are showing to our Commonwealth partners as well as our own fishermen that the law in Britain is here to help us.’

 

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