EU member states are desperate to keep access to UK fisheries – but seven countries fumed at Michel Barnier over a key agreement on the issue. The EU is demanding the UK to keep its waters open to foreign vessels if it wants access to European markets. As Prime Minister Boris Johnson pushes to take independent control of UK fishing grounds, this conundrum has created a deadlock between negotiators David Frost and Michel Barnier. The dispute around fisheries also caused Mr Barnier to come under pressure during negotiations with former Prime Minister Theresa May as she looked for a favourable withdrawal agreement. However, Brussels came under pressure from seven countries who were furious with a proposed arrangement.