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Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

Revised licence scheme for Wildlife activities

29 June 2023

The licence scheme for activities that would otherwise be an offence under the Wildlife Law has been updated. 

The scheme includes several new areas that were previously not covered: 

  • use of wild bird traps 
  • annual habitat management work affecting protected species 
  • educational activities requiring the disturbance and handling of certain reptile and amphibian species 
  • tree surveys and the use of endoscopes by tree surgeons 

Islanders applying for a licence will need to prove that there is no satisfactory alternative course of action, and that the activities are carried out in a way that will have no long-term impact on the population of the species concerned. 

This forms part of the Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021 that came into effect on 4 June 2021. The law seeks to protect wild animals, birds and plants in Jersey, along with nests, dens, breeding sites and resting sites. 

Minister for the Environment, Deputy Jonathan Renouf, said: “The licence scheme ensures better protection of our Island’s wildlife, enabling effective regulation of activities that affect local habitats and species. 

“We have adopted some additional licence categories to permit certain activities, providing safeguards are met and that there is no long-term impact. If Islanders or businesses are unsure whether their activity requires a licence, I encourage them to contact officers at Natural Environment.” 

Existing licence holders have already been informed of the new licence scheme. Licences involving commercial interests will be charged a fee, while those involving research or education will be fee exempt. 

For more information about the changes, Islanders can email wildlifelicensing@gov.je or visit: Licensing for protected species under the Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021 (gov.je) to download a copy of the licence application forms.

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