French trawlermen threaten to block Britain-bound trade in licence row

FILE PHOTO: French fishermen repair their nets at Boulogne-sur-Mer after Britain and the European Union brokered a last-minute post-Brexit trade deal, northern France, December 28, 2020. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

PARIS (Reuters) - French fishermen said they could block the northern port of Calais and Channel Tunnel rail link, both major transit points for trade between Britain and continental Europe, if London does not grant more fishing licences in the next 17 days.

The warning by trawler captains in Boulogne-sur-Mer comes as Britain reels from a truck driver shortage that has sown chaos through its supply chains for everything from fuel and pork to poultry and medicines less than three months ahead of Christmas.