Concerns industries in the South West are worse off after Brexit

Ten years after the UK voted for Brexit in 2016, concerns are growing that some industries in the South West are worse off than before the referendum, with fishing and farming at the center of the debate. The European Union had played a major role in both sectors, including millions of pounds in EU funding for Cornwall due to its status as a deprived area. In fishing, the UK now controls its own waters, but EU boats have continued access to Britain’s inshore area, initially agreed until 2026 under the 2020 Trade and Co-operation Agreement and then extended for 12 more years after a renegotiation last year. Fisherman Phil Mitchell, based in Newlyn, says foreign boats still operate within the 12-mile limit and that export controls have made selling harder, leading him to sell his boat and work for a firm instead. Similar subsidy concerns are cited by farmers such as Martin Howlett near Callington, Cornwall.