Policy background Exiting the EU
On 1 January 1973 the UK joined the European Economic Community, which has since evolved to become today’s European Union. As part of its membership, the UK joined the CFP, which has underpinned UK fisheries management policy for the 45 years since.
	On 29 March 2017, the then Prime Minister gave notification of withdrawal of the UK from the EU under Article 50(2) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU).
	The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 received Royal Assent on 23 January 2020. This means that the UK will no longer be bound by the CFP’s regulations from the end of the Transition Period on 31 December 2020. The Fisheries Act establishes a domestic system of fisheries management.