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Britain's navy in the event of a no-deal Brexit to defend fishing waters

LONDON (Reuters) - In the event that the Brexit transition phase ends on Dec. 31 without an agreement on future relations with the European Union, four Royal Navy patrol ships are on standby to defend Britain's fishing waters, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said.

The step attracted criticism from lawmakers within the Conservative Party of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but was brushed off by the French government.

"Keep calm and carry on," said an Elysée official, using a British wartime slogan.

Where no trade agreement is reached, questions are raised about potential skirmishes between British and international fishing vessels, with current transitional rules allowing EU boats access to British waters set to expire by the end of the year.

"An MOD spokesman said The MOD has carried out comprehensive training and preparation to ensure that Defence is ready at the end of the Transition Phase for a variety of scenarios.

The 80-meter-long navy vessels would have the authority to detain and inspect EU fishing vessels operating within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Britain, which is capable of extending 200 miles (320 km from shore.

The Guardian newspaper announced earlier that in the event of EU fishing boats joining the EEZ, two vessels will be deployed at sea with another two on standby.

The step was dubbed 'irresponsible' by Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative Party lawmaker who chairs the defence select committee of the British parliament.

"We are only faced with the possibility of... Our overstretched Royal Navy is squaring over fishing vessel rights to a close NATO ally,' he told BBC radio. "Our opponents must have really enjoyed this."

On Thursday, a French minister said that France will reward its fishermen and take other steps to assist them in the event of a breakdown of the trade agreement negotiations, in an attempt to prevent conflicts at sea.

Britain left the EU in January, but remains a member of the bloc's single market and customs union under the terms of its withdrawal agreement until the transition period ends on Dec. 31.

Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said on Friday that it was now doubtful that a trade agreement would be negotiated.

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