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| French fishermen suspend blockade | French fishermen suspend blockade |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| French fishermen have suspended their blockade of two Channel ports while they consider an offer of state aid from the French government. | French fishermen have suspended their blockade of two Channel ports while they consider an offer of state aid from the French government. |
| Ferry traffic between Britain and the ports of Calais and Dunkirk resumed on Thursday, though fishermen continued to block access to Boulogne. | Ferry traffic between Britain and the ports of Calais and Dunkirk resumed on Thursday, though fishermen continued to block access to Boulogne. |
| French Fisheries Minister Michel Barnier has reportedly offered four million euros in aid to fishermen. | French Fisheries Minister Michel Barnier has reportedly offered four million euros in aid to fishermen. |
| The ferry company P&O condemned the French government for "rolling over". | The ferry company P&O condemned the French government for "rolling over". |
| Chris Laming, director of communications for P&O, said he feared it was "very likely" the strikes could return because of how the French government had handled the situation. | Chris Laming, director of communications for P&O, said he feared it was "very likely" the strikes could return because of how the French government had handled the situation. |
| I am allowed to fish 10 tonnes a year. If I want, I can fish this quantity in a week Patrick RametFisherman from Boulogne | I am allowed to fish 10 tonnes a year. If I want, I can fish this quantity in a week Patrick RametFisherman from Boulogne |
| "It's a pattern that we've seen repeated before. They simply roll over every time and give in," he told the BBC. | |
| "France has a legal obligation under the EU Treaty to keep that border open for the free movement of goods and people. They simply don't follow their responsibilities," he complained. | "France has a legal obligation under the EU Treaty to keep that border open for the free movement of goods and people. They simply don't follow their responsibilities," he complained. |
| The protest, which began on Tuesday, has caused severe disruption for thousands of holiday-makers and hauliers trying to cross the Channel, with long queues forming in both France and the UK. | |
| Dwindling stocks | Dwindling stocks |
| The French fishermen are protesting at EU fishing quotas which they say have drastically reduced how much cod they can catch. | The French fishermen are protesting at EU fishing quotas which they say have drastically reduced how much cod they can catch. |
| British MEPs are saying that the European Commission should get tough with the French Mark MardellBBC Europe editor Mark Mardell: Time to get tough? class="" href="/1/hi/uk/8001311.stm"> Disruption in UK | |
| Mr Barnier has, so far, rejected demands to renegotiate the quotas, which were set by the EU in December. | Mr Barnier has, so far, rejected demands to renegotiate the quotas, which were set by the EU in December. |
| He pointed out that the cod quota for parts of the English Channel were actually increased by 30%. | He pointed out that the cod quota for parts of the English Channel were actually increased by 30%. |
| Experts have warned that without severe cuts in fishing catches, stocks of some fish in European seas could be virtually wiped out. | Experts have warned that without severe cuts in fishing catches, stocks of some fish in European seas could be virtually wiped out. |
| Nevertheless, Mr Barnier suggested France could push the EU to increase quotas in future. | Nevertheless, Mr Barnier suggested France could push the EU to increase quotas in future. |
| "We should manage this situation to provide for them now and modify, change a certain number of things at the European level but that takes a bit more time," he told French LCI Television. | "We should manage this situation to provide for them now and modify, change a certain number of things at the European level but that takes a bit more time," he told French LCI Television. |
| Patrick Ramet, a fisherman from Boulogne, said the quotas prevented them working and earning money. | Patrick Ramet, a fisherman from Boulogne, said the quotas prevented them working and earning money. |
| "When the minister says he obtained an increase of 30% on cod fishing in December, it's true. But that leaves French fishermen 9,000 tonnes for 2009. In 1993, the quotas were 150,000 tonnes," he told Le Parisien newspaper. | "When the minister says he obtained an increase of 30% on cod fishing in December, it's true. But that leaves French fishermen 9,000 tonnes for 2009. In 1993, the quotas were 150,000 tonnes," he told Le Parisien newspaper. |
| "I am allowed to fish 10 tonnes a year. If I want, I can fish this quantity in a week. Since the beginning of the month I am no longer allowed to fish cod, soon we will reach the quotas for hake... In short, it's impossible to work." | "I am allowed to fish 10 tonnes a year. If I want, I can fish this quantity in a week. Since the beginning of the month I am no longer allowed to fish cod, soon we will reach the quotas for hake... In short, it's impossible to work." |
| Ferry passenger Rafla Reszelluska, a Polish builder living in North Finchley, north London, who endured a long wait at Calais, said: "I'm very relieved. It's been very frustrating and I have had enough. | |
| "This is none of our business, we just want to go home." | |
| P&O said a backlog of cars and lorries at Dover had been cleared by 0830 BST (0730 GMT) on Thursday but warned that long delays would again be likely if the fishermen chose to re-impose their blockade. | |
| Have you been caught up in the blockades? Has your trip been cancelled? Are you a truck driver trying to get to or from your destination? | Have you been caught up in the blockades? Has your trip been cancelled? Are you a truck driver trying to get to or from your destination? |
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