Scallop wars
 

Read today that British fisherman were scared off the scallop grounds in the channel by a fleet of frog fishing boats. Does Brittania rule the waves no more?

They're a funny bunch those French. They can't police their ports properly without our money. We had to put up fences for them in Calais.

Then this scallop business. What actually happened is the French government passed a law preventing French fishermen from fishing in their own waters at certain times of the year, whilst other EU member states fishermen can.

Quite understandably, the frogs are a bit upset when British boats turn up to pinch their scallops, quite legally. An exchange of smoke bombs and rocks took place. Can't really expect peace loving fishermen to hang around for that sort of abuse.

Any way, if the garlic munchers don't sort it out, we're sending in the Royal Navy.

Some news reports have French fishermen claiming they were rammed by the British vessels. They are also threatening to continue their blockade of the fishing grounds.

Turns out the Royal Navy didn't have the resources to protect British vessels. This is what happens when government spends money on unnecessary things like foreign aid and supra-national organisations!

Looks like an agreement has been reached between the UK and France over this after fishermen and government officials from both sides had talks. The French government which has outlawed their fishermen from catching scallops during the summer to preserve stocks, will some how compensate British fishermen if they agree not to fish there during the ban.

This is what happens when governments invest resources in useful things such as diplomacy.

France cannot prevent British fishermen from going there because of EU rules! This highlights one of the biggest problems with the EU, member states cannot control their own territory.