13 April 2016
Jersey’s States has approved a new law which updates current controls on animal health in the Island.
The Animal Health Jersey Law will help prevent the introduction and spread of animal diseases which have major economic impact or can be transmitted to humans.
The law replaces the Diseases of Animals (Jersey) Law 1956 which established the principles of animal disease control.
The existing Diseases of Animals Law needed updating to take account of increasing global trade, climate change, the emergence and re-emergence of diseases that can be rapidly spread across international borders, and developments in veterinary medicine and epidemiology.
The new Animal Health law seeks to support veterinary services in Jersey with effective and modern legislation, based on EU legislation, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) provisions and best practice, reflecting current knowledge.
The law covers two main areas:
- Powers for disease prevention, surveillance and safeguarding food safety
- Powers to be applied when disease is suspected or confirmed
Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce said ‘The Animal Health Jersey Law is an important update to Jersey’s legislation. So much has changed since the introduction of the Diseases of Animals Law some 60 years ago. The new measures it introduces are crucial to ensure we have adequate, up to date, and proportionate controls to prevent diseases coming into Jersey, and if the worst happens, to control globally important animal diseases. The law also ensures the Island has internationally agreed standards in place to give confidence to our expanding list of trading partners.’
The new law will come into effect after approval by the UK Privy Council.
gov.je