Poultry imports phased restart
We're introducing a phased restart for poultry imports following the removal of the protection, surveillance and prevention zones.
As an importer you need a specific licence to import birds into Jersey and commercial farmers have priority to apply. If you're a backyard poultry keepers you can apply for a licence from the 7 November 2022 for imports from Great Britain and Guernsey only.
The situation is being kept under active review and may change at any time if we have a further outbreak of disease on the Island.
Importing poultry and hatching eggs
You can import poultry and hatching eggs into Jersey from Great Britain and other Channel Islands using a specific licence. If you want to import poultry from elsewhere in Europe you must contact us.
If you're a backyard poultry keepers you can apply for a licence only from the 7 November 2022. Your import requirements will be similar to the requirements for commercial importers.
To import poultry you must:
Once completed, email your documents to
rva@gov.je. Make sure you send this information at least 10 working days before your planned import.
To import birds you must comply with the following conditions:
- complete the online pre-notification form at least 1 working day prior to scheduled arrival into Jersey
- in accordance with Council Directive 2005/94/EC, if disease has been confirmed no poultry can be imported from a Protection Zone (PZ) of 3 km and Surveillance Zone (SZ) of 10 km
- before leaving the premises of export, the outside of the vehicle must be free of any visible contamination with mud, slurry, animal faeces, excretion or any other similar matter. The vehicle wheels and wheel arches must be cleaned and disinfected after loading and before leaving the premises with an approved disinfectant. Any crates or boxes must be clean and disinfected prior to loading
- exporters must comply with the welfare laws relating to the exporting country. Birds must be transported in a suitable container, with adequate ventilation and if transported by air, in accordance with International air Transport Association (IATA) standards
- after importation, the birds must be kept at the destination declared in the licence and custody of the birds must not be transferred within 30 days
- all imported birds shall be housed for a minimum of 30 days
- except when prior written approval has been given by the States Veterinary Officer no movements of any live poultry off the premises is permitted during the 30 days after importation
- good biosecurity should be practiced at all times to protect your birds including isolating new stock. Ensure good hygiene practices are in place so that the risk of disease occurring or spreading is minimised
Other conditions may apply and are included on the licence.
gov.je