‘I wish it never happened’: Brexit brings disappointment for Grimsby’s fishing industry

Summary

This video reflects on the aftermath of Brexit from the perspective of a businessman in the fishing industry. It highlights the disappointment with the current system, focusing on the negative impact Brexit has had on trade, especially in the fishing sector. The speaker recalls the ease of pre-Brexit trade with European suppliers and the subsequent disruption in processes, as companies like those in Iceland bypassed the UK to avoid customs delays. The speaker expresses regret over Brexit and wishes for a return to simpler, more efficient trade practices.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker feels that people don't regret Brexit, but they are disappointed in the system, process, and results.
• 😀 Grimsby's initial focus on fishing during Brexit has largely been forgotten.
• 😀 The fishing industry faced disruptions, such as changes in how fish is transported from Iceland to France, bypassing the UK.
• 😀 Icelandic fish exporters avoided complications by shipping directly to France instead of through the UK.
• 😀 The speaker questions why countries would not want to trade with their neighbors, suggesting it's strange not to.
• 😀 In retrospect, the speaker wishes the UK had stayed in the EU, especially considering the simpler trade processes of the past.
• 😀 The speaker fondly recalls the ease of doing business in the fishing industry pre-Brexit, where communication with European suppliers was simple and efficient.
• 😀 Business in the fishing industry was easier pre-Brexit when emails were sent out with minimal hassle and responses were quick.
• 😀 The speaker's reason for voting to remain in the EU was based on the straightforward business operations that existed before Brexit.
• 😀 Overall, the speaker expresses regret about Brexit, wishing for a return to the simpler, more efficient times before the UK left the EU.

Q & A

What is the main disappointment expressed in the script regarding Brexit?

The main disappointment expressed is not with the decision itself but with the system, the process, and the results that followed. The speaker feels that the focus on Grimsby, particularly regarding fishing, has been forgotten.

What happened to the fishing business after Brexit according to the speaker?

After Brexit, the fishing business in Grimsby was affected as Icelandic fish that would typically pass through the UK for sorting and export to Bologna started bypassing the UK. This was due to complications around customs clearance, delays, and additional paperwork.

Why did Icelandic fishermen start bypassing the UK after Brexit?

Icelandic fishermen began bypassing the UK to avoid the complications of delays, paperwork, and customs clearance that came with the new post-Brexit trade rules. They chose to export directly to France instead.

What was the sentiment of the speaker about trading with neighbors after Brexit?

The speaker found it strange that the UK would not want to trade with its neighbors. They expressed the belief that the country should continue to trade with its European neighbors.

What is the speaker’s view on the UK's decision to leave the European Union?

The speaker regrets the UK's decision to leave the European Union. They believe it was a mistake and would have preferred the UK to stay in the EU, as it made business operations easier, particularly in the fishing industry.

How did the speaker describe their business operations before Brexit?

Before Brexit, the speaker describes a smooth process where they would simply copy and paste emails from the previous week to European suppliers, who would respond with 'will do,' and two days later the fish would arrive. This was considered easy and efficient.

Why did the speaker vote to remain in the EU?

The speaker, as a businessman in the fishing industry, voted to remain because the existing system made business transactions much easier and efficient. The simplicity of trading with European countries without delays was a key factor.

How has Brexit changed the dynamics of fishing trade according to the speaker?

Brexit has made the fishing trade more complicated, with new customs regulations, delays, and paperwork. The ease of direct trade between the UK and European countries was lost, causing disruptions in the industry.

What is the speaker’s perspective on the impact of Brexit on Grimsby specifically?

The speaker feels that the impact on Grimsby, particularly its fishing industry, has been largely ignored or forgotten in the broader discussion about Brexit. The focus on fishing has been overshadowed by other issues.

What role did Grimsby play in the fishing trade before Brexit?

Before Brexit, Grimsby was a key hub where fish from Iceland would arrive, be sorted, and then exported to other locations like Bologna. The town played an important role in the UK's fishing and seafood trade.