Government of Jersey

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made 22 August 2011 regarding:

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2011-0079
Decision Summary Title :	Changes to the Pet Travel Scheme and rabies quarantine		Date of Decision Summary:	21/07/2011
Decision Summary Author:	States Veterinary Assistant		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Changes to the Pet Travel Scheme and rabies quarantine		Date of Written Report:	21/07/2011
Written Report Author:	States Veterinary Assistant		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Import controls of pet dogs, cats and ferrets and rabies quarantine requirements from the 1 January 2012.
Decision(s): The Minister agreed to adopt the proposed changes to Council Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of 26 May 2003 for non-commercial movement of pet animals and the changes to the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and other Mammals) (Jersey) Order 1976 in line with the UK.
Reason(s) for Decision: Jersey (and the UK) will adopt the European Union pet movement system rules on 1 January 2012. The proposed changes to the controls on rabies are proportionate to the disease risks involved and are scientifically justified.
Resource Implications: It will become cheaper for pet owners to travel abroad.
Action required: States Veterinary Officer to request the Law Draftsman prepares a revised draft Regulation and Order on the basis of a drafting brief to be supplied by the Department and for subsequent consideration by the Minister.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Pet Travel Scheme and Rabies Quarantine - Requirements from 1 January 2012

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Changes to the Pet Travel Scheme and rabies quarantine

Public

Purpose of the Report

It is proposed that the Planning and Environment Minister update the legislation* to import pet dogs, cats and ferrets into Jersey and the rabies quarantine requirements for dogs, cats and other mammals.

* Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals (Jersey) Regulations 2006 and

Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (Jersey) Order 1976

Background

Council Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 harmonises the animal health controls applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals between Member States and from Third Countries.

The EU Regulation covers the identification and rabies vaccination of pet animals (dogs, cats and ferrets) and for a transitional period enables the UK (including the Channel Islands) to require additional measures (a blood test followed by a six month wait and be treated against tick and tapeworm) prior to entry. The additional measures include travel with an approved carrier.

Pet animals that do not meet the entry requirements must comply with the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (Jersey) Order 1976 which states animals must be licensed by the Minister before entry into Jersey and must be detained for 6 months in an approved quarantine unit in Jersey. No approved quarantine unit is available.

Since the start of the Pet Travel Scheme in 2000, Europe has had an effective and ongoing program to reduce rabies in the domestic and wild animal populations in Member States. There has not been one reported case of rabies in the EU associated with the legal movement of pets under EU pet movement system since it was introduced in 2004.

Discussion

From the 1 January 2012 Jersey, in line with the UK, will harmonise its controls on rabies with the EU wide pet movement system.

The key differences between the current rules and how they change from the 1 January 2012 are:

Pets travelling from EU countries and “listed” Third countries will no longer need to be blood tested after they have been vaccinated against rabies
Pets will only have to wait 21 days following their rabies vaccination before they can enter Jersey, rather than wait 6 months.
Pets travelling from “unlisted” Third countries will no longer be required to undergo six months compulsory quarantine and will be able to enter Jersey (via a EU border inspection post) if they meet certain requirements. These include being microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and have a blood test. They will not be allowed to enter the EU and travel onto Jersey for at least 4 months after the date of the rabies vaccination.
The European Commission has given strong indication that it will come forward with proposals that will enable the UK (including the Channel Islands) and other countries free from the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, to retain tapeworm controls with a treatment window 1 to 5 days before entry. There will be no mandatory requirement for tick treatment before pets enter Jersey. the requirement for pets to travel with an approved carrier will continue in line with UK legislation

Under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (Jersey) Order 1976, it is proposed the period of quarantine will be reduced to 4 months with possible alternative provision for animals subject to veterinary supervision under other legislation. This will only be implemented in line with UK.

It is proposed to give:

powers to an inspector appointed under the Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals (Jersey) Regulations 2006 to stop a person or a vehicle
powers to an inspector appointed under the Diseases of Animals (Jersey) Law 1956 for the purpose of administration and enforcement of the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (Jersey) Order 1976 to stop a person or a vehicle and carry out any search, check or inspection
powers under Article 10, 11 and 13 Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (Jersey) Order 1976 to an inspector appointed under the Diseases of Animals (Jersey) Law 1956 to seize or cause to be seized an animal (the Veterinary Officer or an officer of the police already have these powers)

Conclusion

The proposed changes to the controls on rabies are proportionate to the disease risks involved and are scientifically justified.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to make a Regulation to amend Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals (Jersey) Regulations 2006 to adopt the proposed changes to tick and tapeworm controls and to remove the blood test control to Council Regulations (EC) No 998/2003 and make an Order to amend Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (Jersey) Order 1976 to change the quarantine requirements.

Written by:	States Veterinary Assistant

Approved by:	Director for Environment

Endorsed by:	[If other department involved -Director’s name and Directorate]

[File Ref]

Ministerial Decision ref: MD-PE-2011-XXXX

21/07/11