Reminder to register birds after law change

Bird keepers have been urged to register their animals following a change in Jersey's law.

The island's government said anyone who kept poultry or captive birds needed to register them after the threshold was lowered from 30 to one on Christmas Day.

Birds must be registered to the Infrastructure and Environment Department's animal and health welfare team by 25 January - or within one month of new ownership, the government added.

The States Vet Office said the data was "essential" in the event of an avian disease outbreak and would allow them to take "informed, timely and proportionate action".

Officials said the update follows an amendment to the Animal Health (Bird Diseases) (Jersey) Order 2017 and reflected an "increased level of avian influenza activity" across England and France.

The government said there were exemptions which included fully housed captive birds, those within a dwelling or a bird house and birds who had no access to open air.

"Updating our registration requirement also brings Jersey into alignment with the UK and many EU countries," the States Vet Office said.

It added certain species including budgies, parrots, cockatiels, canaries and finches were exempt from registration if they were "fully housed within a dwelling or indoor structure and do not have access to the open air".

"However, they must be registered if they are taken outdoors at any time, including for exercise, training, exhibitions or shows," the office said.

"Routine visits to a veterinary practice do not count as outdoor access."

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