Scallop wars: British and French officials to hold talks to resolve dispute after navy placed on standby to 'intervene'

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British and French officials are set to start talks to resolve the scallop wars after France’s navy was placed on standby to “intervene”.

A flotilla of around 35 French boats confronted five vessels from England and Scotland in the Bay of Seine last week, with UK crews claiming they were pelted with rocks and smoke bombs.

The clashes occurred in a scallop-rich area known as the Baie de Somme, off the coast of Normandy.

French officials and industry representatives are now set to meet their UK counterparts later to discuss ways to resolve the row.

The French navy has now said it is ready to intervene to prevent further clashes between fishermen harvesting the shellfish in the English Channel after heated confrontations.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the comments were in line with Environment Secretary Michael Gove's position that it was for the French to take any steps needed to prevent violence in the area.

National regulations allow British ships to fish legally in the area all year round but French fishermen are banned from taking the molluscs between 15 May and 1 October to conserve stocks.

Agriculture Minister George Eustice is expected to be quizzed about the issue when he appears before the Commons Environment Committee.

Downing Street said both sides were hoping for an "amicable" solution from the talks.

Agencies contributed to this report