Disease of Animals (Importation of Miscellaneous Goods) (Jersey) Order 1958, and Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and other Mammals) (Jersey) Order 1976

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A decision made 30 September 2011 regarding:

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2011-0090
Decision Summary Title	Changes to import controls of rabbits, hares and certain rodents.		Date of Decision Summary:	27 September 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 Diseases of Animals (Importation of Miscellaneous Goods) (Jersey) Order 1958 and the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (Jersey) Order 1976		Date of Written Report:	27 September 2011
Written Report Author:	States Veterinary Assistant		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Changes to the import controls of live rabbits and hares from the 1 January 2012. Control on importation of prairie dogs from United States of America and rodents of non domestic species from Third Countries of the African sub-Saharan region to Jersey.
Decision(s): The Minister agreed 1) that Schedule 1 should be amended to remove Prohibition Number 15 from the Diseases of Animals (Importation of Miscellaneous Goods) (Jersey) Order 1958. 2) The Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (Jersey) Order 1976 should be amended to include rabbits and hares in the Schedule Part 2 and prohibit the import of prairie dogs from USA and rodents of non-domestic species and squirrels from the African sub-Saharan region.
Reason(s) for Decision: To set the appropriate import requirements under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (Jersey) Order 1976 and simplify administration in the Department.
Resource Implications: None
Action required: States Veterinary Assistant to request the Law Draftsman to prepare revised draft Orders for consideration by the Minister.
Signature: Deputy R Duhamel		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Disease of Animals (Importation of Miscellaneous Goods) (Jersey) Order 1958, and Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and other Mammals) (Jersey) Order 1976 - Proposed Amendments

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Changes to the Diseases of Animals (Importation of Miscellaneous Goods) (Jersey) Order 1958 and the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (Jersey) Order 1976

(Public)

Purpose of the Report

It is proposed that the Planning and Environment Minister make an Order(s) to amend the above mentioned Orders:

To amend the legislation regarding the importation of rabbits and hares and
prohibit the import of prairie dogs from the United States of America and rodents of non-domestic species and squirrels originating in or coming from third countries of the African sub-Saharan region

Background
1 European Regulation 998/2003 took effect on the 3 July 2004. Rabbits and hares imported into Jersey from outside the European Union have to be presently quarantined for six months with regards to rabies. The movement of pet rabbits between European Union countries are not subject to any requirements with regard to rabies.

2 The Diseases of Animals (Importation of Miscellaneous Goods) (Jersey) Order 1958 Order requires all goods stipulated to be licensed for import.

3 Monkey pox is a Zoonotic disease with is not present in the European Union. Monkey pox has been confirmed in certain parts of the United States of America. The authorities in the United States believe that prairie dogs have been in contact with rodents of non-domestic species (Gambian rats) imported from the African rain forest zone where the disease is endemic. Commission Decision 2003/459 of the 20 June 2003 requires appropriate protection measures be implemented in the EU.

Discussion

1 To simplify administration it is proposed to remove rabbits and hares from the Diseases of Animals (Importation of Miscellaneous Goods) (Jersey) Order 1958 and include rabbits and hares in the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (Jersey) while maintaining appropriate controls to prevent disease incursion.

2 It is proposed to prohibit the import the of prairie dogs from the United States of America and rodents of non-domestic species and squirrels originating in or coming from third countries of the African sub-Saharan region, in line with the UK to maintain our border controls.

Conclusion

The proposed changes to the controls are proportionate to the disease risks involved and strengthen Jersey’s objective of maintaining a high health status.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to make an Order(s) to:

To remove Prohibition Number 15 from Schedule 1 of the Diseases of Animals (Importation of Miscellaneous Goods) (Jersey) Order 1958 and include rabbits and hares in Schedule Part 2 in the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (Jersey).
To prohibit the import of prairie dogs from the United States of America and rodents of non-domestic species and squirrels originating in or coming from third countries of the African sub-Saharan region in the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (Jersey).

Written by:	States Veterinary Assistant
Approved by:	Director for Environment
Endorsed by:	Medical Officer of Health

Ministerial Decision ref: MD-PE-2011-0090

27 September 2011