New island rules prompted by France bird flu cases
The introduction of stricter rules for bird keepers and farmers in Jersey is due to a spate of bird flu cases in France, the environment minister has said.
Deputy Steve Luce told States members on Tuesday there had been 112 French recorded cases since October, with nearly two million birds having died or been culled because of the disease.
Until 25 December, islanders could own up to 30 birds without having to register them, but now even a single bird has to be documented with the Infrastructure and Environment Department’s animal and health welfare team.
Luce said Jersey “needed to be prepared” for similar eventualities to those across the Channel.
Also citing 90 confirmed recent outbreaks of bird flu in the UK, Luce added the numbers “had been of concern” to him.
“It’s important the States’ vet has a database of all poultry and captive bird keepers,” he said.
“Registration ensures authorities know where all birds are kept, regardless of flock size so they can act quickly when disease is detected.
“This also benefits the owners of that poultry themselves.”
Luce added that before 2017 it was “mandatory that all chickens should be registered – but then the rules were relaxed”.
“It occurred to me that it wouldn’t be that contentious to return to how things were back then.”
Apology over deadline
However, he apologised for Christmas day having been chosen as the date the new rules came into force.
Bird keepers were told at the time they had until 25 January to register any poultry or other captive birds.
Luce admitted the “timing wasn’t great” and that “if people were surprised then that’s my fault entirely”.
Adding he would “take much more notice of such things in the future”, Luce said he felt it was “important that everyone needed to be involved”.
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