Tory MPs have warned the EU is attempting to undermine British sovereignty by trying to tear Brexit fishing agreements apart.

Danish fishermen have successfully convinced the EU to launch an arbitration tribunal against the UK in a bid to gain access to fishing the species in English and Scottish waters.

Sir Bernard Jenkin MP said: “The EU cannot accept British sovereignty over our waters, and Labour seems all too ready to concede this. While the EU talks tough on ocean conservation, it has a shocking record and shows no signs of improvement. So this is a challenge to the UK’s ability to protect the marine environment and to create sustainable fisheries.

“The last Conservative government introduced new marine protections, only possible after Brexit, to protect sand eels and in turn the threatened British bird populations that feed off them, such as Puffins.

“The EU hates the UK setting its own policies and does not care about protecting the marine environment.

“Labour ministers should keep their promises, and stand up to the EU and for British wildlife.

“The government must hold firm and protect British territorial waters.”

The UK earlier this year banned fishing in the North Sea for puffins’ favourite food, the sandeel.

But the European Union is demanding the ban be lifted, claiming it breaches the UK’s post-Brexit breakup deal.

This is the first time the EU has triggered the dispute mechanism of the UK’s breakup deal, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA)

Negotiations for the TCA will begin this year because by the end of June 2026, the UK and EU will need to establish either annual or multi-year agreements to continue fishing access rights.

Andrew Griffiths MP said: “Eight years on from the vote for Brexit and the EU is still trying to undermine British sovereignty.

When we left the EU, it was Conservatives who established new marine protections, providing important British wildlife with the respite it needs.

“2025 will be another year for defending British sovereignty over our own waters, as the EU challenges our ban on sandeel fishing, which prevents damage to this key part of our marine ecosystem. Reversing this ban would damage sandeel populations and the native birds that rely on them.

“Labour must stand firm. British law and our natural habitats are sacred – the EU cannot be allowed to pull them apart.”

John Flesher, of the Conservative Environment Network, said sandeels are crucial species for feeding native British birds like puffins and kittiwakes.

He added: “The last government was absolutely right to ban fishing of sandeels in the interests of protecting our seas and the beautiful creatures that rely on them.

“The ability to protect the environment in British waters is a real and tangible benefit of Brexit. It would be a tragedy to throw it away. Ministers must hold firm against the EU’s threats to undo this important conservation measure, and the EU should up its own game on marine protection at a time when the oceans are under such severe threat.”

A UK government spokesman said: “We remain committed to protecting our seabirds and the wider marine environment, including fulfilling our international commitments which are distinct to our immediate focus of improving cooperation with the EU on security and tackling barriers to trade.”