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Request

Since the arrival of Asian Hornets, reported to have been 2016 and their identification as an alien species posing a known and quantifiable threat to the local ecosystem I would request the following information.

A

What procedures exist for the control of invasive species, bearing in mind the long anticipated threat from Colorado Beetles, were these activated in the present case and when?

B

Was an Environmental Impact Assessment carried out? When and by whom and has it been published in the public domain?

C

Bearing in mind the threat posed by Asian Hornets, six human deaths reported in France in 2018, has a full Risk Assessment been carried out to identify all the risks?

C1

Has this Assessment taken into account the already reported 25% diminution in insects / pollinators in Jersey?

C2

Can this please be made public?

D

In the light of the above, what Operational Plan and Procedure has been developed?

D1

By whom and by reference to which expert sources?

D2

What resources and equipment have been mobilised to effect this Plan? For example what are the current and past stocks of 'Sutera' wasp bait?

E

Under the new Government structure which department, officers and Minister are responsible for this threat?

Response

A

What procedures exist for the control of invasive species, bearing in mind the long anticipated threat from Colorado Beetles, were these activated in the present case and when?

The Department of the Environment is the government lead on invasive non-native species (INNS).

There is no ‘standard procedure’ for dealing with INNS as each organism is very different and must be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Colorado Beetle is not considered an INNS, rather a serious potato pest not established in the UK or Jersey (although it has been present in Europe since WW 1 and was present here during the Occupation). It is a regulated organism under UK and local Plant Health Law and subject to biannual surveys and monitoring on the French mainland via a collaborative approach between France, Jersey and Guernsey.

Due to the entirely different characteristics of the Colorado Beetle and the Asian Hornet, the measures in place to monitor for Colorado Beetle, or the contingency for a large scale arrival of the pest in Jersey is wholly unsuited for use with the Asian Hornet.

The department has by and large used the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) / National Bee unit contingency plan for Asian Hornet control so far which broadly contains the following elements:

  • early detection

  • interception and prevention of establishment

  • nest destruction to contain & control localised outbreaks

  • development of longer term management plans

  • provision of advice to beekeepers & all other stakeholders

  • coordination, Training, Funding

The initial part of the contingency, early detection, has been in place in apiaries since 2016. The successive parts of the contingency have been instigated as required.

B

Was an Environmental Impact Assessment carried out? When and by whom and has it been published in the public domain?

No. Jersey is the only jurisdiction known which has tried to carry out a significant control programme. There was no legal requirement or relevant data on which to base an Environmental Impact Assessment.

C

Bearing in mind the threat posed by Asian Hornets, six human deaths reported in France in 2018, has a full Risk Assessment been carried out to identify all the risks?

The department uses the Invasive Non-native Species Secretariat Risk Assessment produced for the UK.

C1 

Has this Assessment taken into account the already reported 25% diminution in insects / pollinators in Jersey?

As already explained above we use the Assessment that was produced in the UK. We have no data which suggests a 25% reduction in invertebrate numbers in Jersey

C2

Can this assessment please be made public?

The Assessment is available to view on line via the link below:

Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS)

D

In the light of the above, what Operational Plan and Procedure has been developed?

The operational plan consists of a cooperative effort with the Jersey Bee Keepers Association, which is developed as required, through regular meetings between the stakeholders.

D1

By whom?

Growth, Housing and Environment’s Natural Environment Section has developed the plan.

By reference to which expert sources?

Defra, National Bee Unit, Isle of Man Government, Invasive Non-Native Species Secretariat, Exeter University and the Fédération Départementale de Défense Contre les Organismes Nuisibles de la Manche.

D2 

What resources and equipment have been mobilised to effect this Plan? For example what are the current and past stocks of 'Sutera' wasp bait?

Department officers have liaised closely with members of the Jersey Bee Keepers Association and volunteers (including visiting UK bee keepers). All teams have been equipped as required. Local pest controllers have been trained in France and equipped with all equipment required for the safe nest destruction. This includes specialist protective hornet suits and specially designed nest destruction equipment. Traps and suterra have been made readily available to bee keepers and hornet trackers free of charge.

In the past no stocks of suterra were held. Since Asian Hornets have been found in Jersey small stocks of suterra and other wasp attractants are now held.

Under the new Government structure which department, officers and Minister are responsible for this threat?

Under the new structure, Growth, Housing and Environment’s Natural Environment Group is the lead on invasive non-native species (INNS). Deputy John Young is the Minister currently responsible for the Environment.

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