Press Release Date: 28th December 2020

Alderney aligns with Guernsey to confirm Brexit deal

A better deal than expected — that was the underlying consensus at a special States of Alderney meeting on Sunday December 27 to confirm its backing for the ‘historic’ UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement that required Bailiwick-wide approval by Monday morning (December 28).

The Members were summoned at short notice to debate a policy letter detailing the Bailiwick’s proposed participation in the deal with its associated impact on Alderney along with the other Bailiwick islands.

Proposing seven resolutions confirming the principles of the Agreement as they affect the Bailiwick, together with an amendment to note a supportive letter from the UK’s Lord Chancellor, States Member Kevin Gentle thanked Bailiwick civil servants for their hard work in dealing with the matter so swiftly after the deal was struck on Christmas Eve.

The recommendations were approved unanimously.

Fishing rights and the ability to land catches in French ports were key to Alderney’s position throughout the negotiations.

“We have battled mainly to ensure that the UK in its negotiations with the EU represented our interests fairly and with vigour,” said Mr Gentle. “We have also battled to ensure that Guernsey understood and fought for our position, and in this latter matter I would like to thank Guernsey. They battled for themselves but more importantly they battled for the whole Bailiwick.

“Our interest in goods are clearly aligned with Guernsey’s — there are no tariffs on imports and no tariffs on exports where there is a Free Trade Agreement. “As far as Alderney is concerned, the negotiations that concerned us most were to do with fishing. In a nutshell, the resources in our territorial waters are perhaps Alderney’s greatest asset. During the negotiations we sought the right to licence and manage our waters — basically the right to assert our sovereignty. And in my view, we were acting no differently to the UK.”

The arrangement means that a ‘static access ’model will control fisheries access by EU vessels (which for the Bailiwick means French vessels only) in the 6 to 12 mile area of Bailiwick waters. Vessels can seek a licence to fish based on a track record of 10 days within 12 months over a three-year period and initial estimates are that this will give access to approximately 40 French vessels throughout Bailiwick waters. “Without this, we foresaw that it would be difficult for us to push back if the EU later starting asking for increased rights,” said Mr Gentle.

In return for this controlled continuation of access to our waters, Alderney fishermen have access to French ports to market their catch with zero tariffs – on all goods, not just fish. Bailiwick fishermen also have access to the EU’s own Exclusive Economic Zone waters.

Designated French ports for landing Bailiwick catches are Cherbourg, Carteret and Granville — although Dielette does not currently have customs designation, dialogue will continue with French authorities to maintain landing access as was the position before Brexit.

The Bailiwick has throughout promoted a stable and predictable fisheries relationship that respected each islands’ autonomy over their territorial waters and supported the economic balance and interdependencies of the region, essentially protecting the interests of the Bailiwick’s fishing fleet.

In addition, the Bailiwick will be treated separately from the other Crown Dependencies and the UK in matters of dispute resolution. For example, a dispute involving Jersey or the UK will not lead to measures being taken by the EU against the Bailiwick. Any dispute between the EU and the Bailiwick will affect the Bailiwick as a whole.

Mr Gentle added: “In my own personal view we are slightly worse off than before but the status quo is not an option — we are choosing the best option in the circumstance of the UK decision. However, we have gained things that were previously not possible.”

Although there may be a small increase in paperwork, there will be no other costs and most importantly trade can continue to be conducted on a timely basis.

“The rights of our fishermen have been preserved and protected,” added Mr Gentle. “This Agreement meets the Bailiwick’s economic needs and provides for a stable social and economic relationship with France. We can genuinely now see Guernsey and Alderney as having a common position.” Several Members stood to express thanks to the work of civil servants both in Alderney and Guernsey, especially that of the External Relations Department in Guernsey.

Ends