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Jersey 'working closely' with UK on Brexit deal

Chris CraddockJersey communities reporter
EPA Two European Union flags wave in the foreground on a street in central London, with the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) and the Palace of Westminster visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky. A red double-decker bus and city traffic can be seen below the landmark clock tower.EPA
Jersey's government hopes the island's agriculture and aquaculture will benefit from the agreement

Jersey's government has been "working closely" with the UK to ensure the island benefits from a draft deal on removing post-Brexit checks from food and agriculture exports.

The BBC understands the 200-page draft text for this so called "SPS" [sanitary and phytosanitary] agreement has been circulated to EU nations ahead of a meeting next week.

A Government of Jersey spokesperson said: "It's too early to guarantee our automatic inclusion."

They added: "We expect Jersey to see a reduction in trade barriers, making it easier and more cost-effective for wholesalers and retailers to both export to, and source specialist products from, the EU and Northern Ireland."

The UK government claimed it will eventually see £5.1bn worth of annual benefits as a result of the agreement.

The Jersey government spokesperson said: "We have been working closely with the UK Government to ensure Jersey businesses, particularly in agriculture and aquaculture, benefit from the new SPS Agreement.

"We will be ready for 2028, when the new arrangements are expected to start, building on work since Brexit and amending Jersey's legislation if necessary."

Recently, Chris Le Masurier, who runs Jersey Oyster Company said Jersey fishers were at a disadvantage to their French counterparts.

The deal could have the following impact:

  • Exports to the EU of fresh sausages, burgers, shellfish from domestic waters and seed potatoes would be able to resume
  • It should remove the need for £200 Export Health Certificates, which confirm the product meets the health requirements of the country it is heading to
  • It should also end the need for £25 Phytosanitary certificates, which show that plants or plant products are free from pests and diseases
  • Inspector fees, organic certificates, some port fees and other checks for exports and imports to and from the EU could be removed
  • It will bring back passports for British pets being taken into the EU

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