15 October 2018
Islanders with an interest in wildlife and the environment are being invited to comment on a draft Wildlife Law that is being proposed, to replace the current Conservation of Wildlife Law.
This new legislation, which will act as Jersey’s main law for managing wildlife, could impact on a range of activities from land management and development to education, research and pest control.
A number of meetings are planned for November, which islanders with a particular interest in environmental matters are invited to join to learn about the proposed changes.
The meetings will focus on the seven key areas of change the new law will bring:
- revised definitions for ‘wild animal’ and ‘wild bird’
- changes to the protection levels for wild animals, birds and plants
- more protection for dens, nests, breeding sites and resting sites
- new allowances for areas of special protection to be declared
- tighter controls over methods of capturing all wild animals and birds
- revised controls to prevent the release of animals, birds and plants into the wild
- a more effective licensing framework
An online questionnaire is being launched tomorrow (Tuesday 16 October) asking islanders for their views on the seven areas of change, and for general comments about the new law.
The Minister for the Environment, Deputy John Young, said: “Jersey has a rich and varied wildlife, some of which are locally rare and some that are of European and international importance. The new law is needed to clarify protection for our wildlife to ensure that we can properly care for our environment and implement the Council of Ministers’ new strategic objectives.”
As well as ensuring that modern international standards for protecting wildlife can be met, the new law will allow for more effective and efficient regulation of activities affecting local wildlife and their habitats.
Assistant Minister Deputy Gregory Guida said: “For the first time in memory, our government has made the environment one of its foremost priorities and we are working hard to honour that pledge. This new Wildlife Law will be one of the most important tools in protecting our rich biodiversity and its many habitats, both of which are essential to our quality of life. It will also ensure that Jersey’s international environmental commitments are fulfilled.”
For more information please read the Consultation Page
gov.je