UK fishing minister Daniel Zeichner has firmly rejected proposals to tie fishing rights negotiations with the EU to other policy areas, including a defense and security pact sought by prime minister Keir Starmer, reports Politico. 

"There will be no linkage between fishing negotiations and talks in other areas like security or reduced border checks for goods," Zeichner told a UK parliamentary committee.

The statement comes as EU member states, particularly France, press for more permanent access to British waters before the current maritime agreement expires in June 2026.

Without a formal defense agreement with Brussels, the UK risks exclusion from a proposed €150 billion ($164bn) EU loan program for defense spending.