That is the message from P&R’s external relations lead, Deputy Steve Falla.
With the UK’s former Health Secretary, and Prime Ministerial hopeful, Wes Streeting advocating reversing Brexit, Deputy Falla confirmed that Protocol 3 to the UK Act of Accession ceased to apply when the UK left the EU on 31 December 2020. It was replaced by a bespoke arrangement that reflected the Bailiwick’s interest in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Deputy Falla also revealed that his department was already involved in working through the implications of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s existing ‘reset’ agreement with the EU.
‘The States of Guernsey is working closely with the UK Government in its EU reset negotiations, in particular the proposed Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement, relating to trade in food, feed and animals, and the Youth Experience Scheme, for young people to study, work and travel in the UK and EU.
‘We welcome the reestablishment of the ERASMUS+ scheme, which will be open for Guernsey students studying in UK universities.
‘The recent negotiations include consideration of interests of the Bailiwick and consideration of bespoke measures where the Bailiwick’s interests may differ from those of the UK.’
The external relations lead said that even if the UK did ask to rejoin the EU at some point, the trading block’s enlargement process was clearly set out and would take a considerable time.
‘Our external relations team, the Channel Islands Brussels office and the Bureau des Iles Anglo-Normandes monitor UK and EU debates and events closely and would work with colleagues to undertake any planning that may become necessary,’ he said.
‘The team in place also led on the Brexit process for Guernsey and the Bailiwick and, as a result, the States of Guernsey is well placed to consider and prepare for any UK-EU negotiations that could take place in the future.’