States of Jersey biosecurity policies and checks (FOI)

​Request

A.

Does the States have a species Biosecurity Policy?

B.

What checks are carried out, how are they carried out and by whom?

The applicant later clarified their request, asking for the response to cover the following:

• invasive plant species
• invasive animal disease
• invasive insect species

and checks were clarified as:

• importation
• countryside
• marine environment
• harbours/airport

Response

Marine Environment

A.

The Marine Environment is covered by Policy A9 of the Inter Coastal Zone Management Strategy (ICZM strategy) –a purpose of the Policy is to identify potential threats to Jersey’s marine and coastal habitats and species.

B.

Checks to the Marine Environment are currently carried out as a part of survey and surveillance programmes.

Mapping surveys are conducted by the Department of the Environment, Society Jersiaise, other non-government organisations and other academic organisations. A record of marine invasive species is published in the Marine Resources annual report (Section 3.3) which is available on the States of Jersey website.
Download Marine Resources annual report 2013 (Size 36.5kb)

Import of Infectious and contagious diseases of animals

A.

The risk of introduction of infectious and contagious diseases of animals is mitigated by a range of import controls based on disease risk for the species and the country of origin. Typically farmed species are licensed from UK and subject to conditions including pre-export testing, official veterinary health certification and a post import isolation period in premises approved for the purpose. For species kept for conservation purposes, the premises of origin must be approved by the local veterinary authorities and accompanied by official veterinary health certification.

Pet dogs, cats and ferrets from countries other than UK must fulfil the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme which are to prevent introduction of rabies and the tapeworm, Echinococcus multilocularis, to protect human health.

There are no restrictions on import of Equines from UK and Republic of Ireland. Equines from European countries must be accompanied by an official veterinary health certificate, unless they originate in France and are eligible for travel under the conditions of the Tripartite Agreement.
If disease risk changes e.g. the country of origin has a notifiable disease outbreak, imports may be prohibited or additional conditions imposed.

Import of animals from several countries is prohibited because the risk of disease introduction is unacceptable.

Many specific import conditions can be viewed on gov.je by searching for “import” and the species.​

B.

Post import checks are carried out on a representative percentage of licensed consignments either at the harbour or at the receiving premises. All pets travelling under the Pet Travel Scheme are subject to checks by the approved carrier and those which do not comply are refused travel.
Legislation enacted in the Diseases of Animals (Jersey) Law 1956 and subordinate Orders provides legal powers to apply the controls outlined.

Prevention of invasive insects and plant pests

A.

Jersey has surveillance programs in place for many species of plant pests and pathogens regulated under international law as being damaging to the natural or farmed environment.
These results are transmitted to DEFRA on a timetabled basis who in turn report to the European Government. If detected, we have a responsibility to contain and eradicate.

B.

Import inspections are carried out at harbour and airport by the Agricultural Inspectorate, plus nurseries and garden centres and at private locations across the island. Pheromone traps are located across the Island for key species and Jersey is a member of the European Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO), and liaise with UK, France and Guernsey to horizon scan for threats.

Commercial consignments of plants must be accompanied by relevant paperwork and dependant on species must details the area of production and associated pest-free status (Plant Passport). If such paperwork is not intact plants are returned to consignor or denied entry and destroyed by incineration.

Customs and the postal service will also intercept various consignments of material (seeds, plants, bulbs etc from internet sales) which are referred to us and are denied entry if official paperwork is not provided (‘Phytosanitary Certificate’ issued by country of origin).

Habitats and natural environments

A.

No, biosecurity in Jersey is considered on a case by case basis as threats to our local habitats and native wildlife are identified. The Natural Environment Team of Department of the Environment works closely with colleagues to ensure that diseases which could infect local wildlife are stopped at importation stage.

B.

Checks are carried out on a regular basis on Sites of Special ecological Interest and other areas of high conservation value. Land administered by the Department of the Environment is inspected regularly by Staff for invasive non-native species, and as specific threats to particular species are identified a risk assessment is undertaken, and if deemed necessary, screening for disease is carried out.