Changes to Bird Import Licence Issue and Poultry Movement Records.

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A decision made (15/06/2009) regarding: Changes to Bird Import Licence Issue and Poultry Movement Records.

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2009-0113
Decision Summary Title		Changes to bird import licence issue and poultry movement records		Date of Decision Summary:	05/06/2009
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 bird import licence issue and poultry movement records		Date of Written Report:	05/06/2009
Written Report Author		States Veterinary Assistant		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Bird Import Licence: Change the import control mechanism for birds in to Jersey and include requirement for keepers to maintain a record of domestic poultry movements.
Decision(s): An amendment to be made to the Disease of Animals (Avian Influenza) (Jersey) Order 2005 as amended, to provide the option of a general licence to be issued and to introduce requirement for poultry keepers to record the movement of poultry to and from the holding.
Reason(s) for Decision: A general licence approach would simplify the procedure to import birds when the risk of disease is low to Jersey.
Resource Implications: None
Action required: SVO to instruct Law Drafting Officer to amend the Order giving the additional option of a general licence and requirement to record movement of poultry as described.
Signature:			Position:
Date Signed:			Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):
Version:	V 1

Changes to Bird Import Licence Issue and Poultry Movement Records.

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

ENVIRONMENT DIVISION

Changes to bird import licence issue and poultry movement records

(Public)

Purpose of the Report

It is proposed that the Planning and Environment Minister makes an Order to amend the Disease of Animals (Avian Influenza) (Jersey) Order 2005, as amended. The proposed Order will enable the States Veterinary Officer to introduce a general licence when the risk of disease entering the Island is low.

Removing the process for applications and the issue of specific licence for each import will assist importers. In addition, to assist disease control measures, the Order will require keepers to maintain a record of the movement of poultry to and from the premises.

Background

Current legislation requires all poultry imports to be individually licensed. Commercial consignments of poultry from the UK must travel with an export health certificate issued by DEFRA which certifies they originate from an area that is not under restriction for notifiable disease. For all other birds a licence stating the premises of origin and final destination is issued.

A consultation letter was sent to local importers and the response was unanimous approval for the proposed changes, which will make the process to import easier.

The need for keepers to maintain records of poultry movements will underpin measures required in the event of an outbreak of disease.

Discussion

It is proposed to replace specific licences issued for each import, by a General licence for imports from the UK. The general licence will be published on the website. Conditions attached to the General licence will have to be met and will include pre-notification of import to the Department. Officers will have the opportunity to inspect the birds at the port of entry or at the final destination. The checks will be carried out on a risk assessed basis. The requirement for an export health certificate will be removed. EU legislation prohibits the movement of poultry from a restriction zone.

Import of pet birds and captive birds imported from the UK and other Channel Islands will not require notification.

The requirement for an individual licence for birds, including racing pigeons returning, from outside the British Isles will be maintained.

The States Veterinary Officer will have the option to return to individual licences and export health certification for all birds when deemed necessary.

In the event of notifiable disease, control measures include tracing bird movements. Movement records are an invaluable pre-requisite to enable accurate tracing.

Conclusion

Legal provision to implement these important disease control measures strengthen Jersey’s objective of maintaining high health status whilst ensuring that the level of control is proportionate to risk and allow business to operate.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to make an Order to provide the option of a general licence to be issued and to require keepers to record the movement of poultry.

Written by: States Veterinary Assistant

Approved by: Chief Officer Planning and Environment

Attachments: Consultation Letter dated 23/01/09 Proposed Change to Import Licensing.

Ministerial Decision ref: MD-PE-2009-0113

[05/06/2009]