An amnesty period allowing French ships unimpeded access to Jersey waters is due to expire on Thursday, September 30. Crucial negotiations have taken place in recent weeks to resolve the issues, but Jersey ministers and UK officials have yet to reach an agreement with France. .

Four days before the deadline, French ministers accused the British last night of not respecting their commitments on fishing as part of the Brexit agreement.

The French Ministry of the Sea has requested 169 final authorizations for access to Jersey waters for French fishermen, instead of provisional permits.

Annick Girardin, Minister of the Sea, added: “We have permits which were issued mostly on a temporary basis until September 30, and we want to transform them into permanent permits”.

Paris argues that if UK-backed Jersey does not grant final licenses to French fishermen, it will ask the European Union to activate “restrictive measures” in the UK’s trade and cooperation agreement with the EU.

These measures could include new tariffs or some form of retaliatory action.

Europe Minister Clément Beaune said France was “at the end of its patience” with the UK.

He added: “We have been patient, we have obtained results on a number of fishing grounds and permits but we are far from the target.

“And we have had to re-mobilize in the last few days. “

READ MORE: Corbyn launches all-out assault on Starmer to call for sweeping action

An interim deal was due to expire on June 30 under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, but it was extended until September 30.

Protests then took place last Saturday by hundreds of French fishermen ahead of the September 30 deadline on Armanville beach in Normandy.

Fishermen say there are still up to 80 small boats under 12 meters waiting to receive a fishing license.

Downing Street said Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to Emmanuel Macron about the issue yesterday in a phone call after the French president was angered by Britain forming a new military pact with the United States and the ‘Australia.