(Brussels) “Given the continued uncertainty in the UK surrounding the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement, the Commission has today adopted two legislative proposals to help mitigate the significant impact that a ‘no-deal’ Brexit would have on EU fisheries”. This is according to a statement released after the weekly meeting of the College of Commissioners this Wednesday as part of the “contingency work” carried out by the Commission to prepare for any scenario and ensure a “coordinated EU-wide approach” if the UK does not ratify the deal negotiated over the past few months. The proposal put forward by the Commission in the fisheries sector is to “allow fishermen and operators from EU Members States to receive compensation under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund”, should there be a sudden closure of UK waters to EU fishing vessels. A second proposal by the Commission intends to grant UK vessels access to EU waters until the end of 2019, on the condition that EU vessels are also granted reciprocal access to UK waters. All this under a simplified authorisation procedure. The proposal is based on the agreement in the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 17 and 18 December 2018.