Protecting the health of all of the Islands animals is important but it is particularly important for the Island's populations of Guernsey cows and Golden Guernsey goats. Animal health is protected by careful control of imports of live animals, animal products, animal feeds and bedding. There are controls on feeding food waste to animals and a number of animal diseases are Notifiable. The unexplained death of livestock is Notifiable as are abortions in cattle. The disposal of animal carcases is also controlled. Regular checks for animal diseases are carried out at the slaughterhouse and through checks on a proportion of the dairy herds each year. In the event of increased threats of animal diseases the Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services will provide advice on precautionary measures.
Contact us if you'd like more information or guidance.
Notifiable Diseases
- A number of animal diseases are Notifiable diseases, follow this link for a full list. A person who suspects that an animal is infected with one of these diseases must report that suspicion to the Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services.
Imports
- The sea surrounding our Island protects animals from many diseases. Controlling the imports of live animals, animal products, animal feeds and bedding is important to prevent us from introducing diseases to our Island. The importation of many live animals that could introduce diseases to our Guernsey cows and Golden Guernsey goats is strictly controlled. These animals require pre-movement isolation and health tests in their countries of origin and may need to go into isolation for a period after they arrive in the Island too. For further information, follow this link.
- Please note, all animals imported into the Bailiwick of Guernsey must be pre-notified in writing to the Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation. See "Animal Import Notification" for more information.
Avian Influenza (bird flu)
- If you find a sick bird, who you should contact will vary depending on the following circumstances:
- If you find any sick poultry, please contact the States Vets using the contact details on this page.
- If you find any sick wild birds, please contact the GSPCA by calling 01481 257261.
- If you find a dead bird, who you should contact will vary depending on the following circumstances:
- If you find a dead sea bird, garden bird or pigeon on your own property, it is your responsibility to safely collect and dispose of the bird. Guidance on how to do this safely is available in the Avian Influenza Guidance document in the downloads section of this page.
- If you find dead poultry, corvids, or birds of prey, please contact the States Vets for bird flu testing using the contact details on this page.
- Please note that dead sea birds found on the shoreline will no longer be collected and disposed of unless found in large quantities. It is still advised to notify the States Vets and avoid any contact with these birds, including dogs.
- If a dead bird has leg rings, please provide the States Vets with the leg ring number, the date that you found the bird and the location where it was found.
- If within the first 10 days from the last time you were exposed to a potentially infected bird, you develop flu like symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches, runny nose) please isolate from the rest of your household and contact your GP by phone (do not attend in person). Please let them know that you may have been exposed to avian flu and have now developed symptoms. Your GP may wish to contact the States Veterinary Officer and/or Public Health Services for further discussion.
- Further information on Avian Influenza can be found here or in the downloads section of this page.
- Please use the form below to register your poultry with the States Veterinary Officers. By holding a register of poultry keepers, the States Veterinary Officers can notify keepers of important developments and directly distribute the latest guidance. Knowing the numbers and locations of poultry on-island will also help the Veterinary Officers in the event of an outbreak. A Fair Processing Notice for how we will use your data can be found in the downloads section of this page.
- For any questions, further information or help registering, please contact the States Veterinary Officers at svo@gov.gg or tel: 01481 221161.
- If this form is not displaying correctly, please click here.
Marine Mammal Strandings
- Please report any live stranded animals to the GSPCA - 01481 257261.
- The public are advised not to approach/interact with stranded animals, even when the animals are in danger or distress.
- Please report any dead stranded animals to Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services (ACLMS) - 01481 220110.
- The public is asked to stay away & keep dogs away from all dead animals which wash onto our beaches. This includes seals, dolphins, porpoises, whales and sea birds, especially given the ongoing concern of bird flu.
Artificial Insemination Centre
- This is a cattle insemination service and is available 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Guernsey cattle can only be bred to Guernsey semen or a limited number of approved beef breeds which colour mark their offspring at birth.
Veterinary Medicines
- Veterinary medicines imported into, and exported from, Guernsey must have a marketing authorisation issued by the authorities in the UK or the European Medicines Agency. For further information follow this link.
Identification of Animals
- There is a legal requirement for livestock to be identified by means of ear tags, slap-marks, or pastern tags depending on the species. Tagging (or re-tagging if a tag is lost) of cattle must be requested from (or reported to) the Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services. Follow this link for information on the charge for this service.
Cattle testing
- The Islands cattle are regularly tested for a number of diseases and owners must assist with this process. Each year a proportion of the Island cattle are tested by the Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services. Follow this link for further information.
Feeding of Waste Food to Livestock or Poultry
- Certain waste food (including kitchen scraps) cannot be fed to livestock or poultry. Follow this link to view the Waste Food Ordinance, 1987.
Bluetongue
"Livestock Matters" newsletter
- Livestock Matters Edition 1 March 2013
- Livestock Matters Edition 2 April 2013
- Livestock Matters Edition 3 July/August 2013
- Livestock Matters Supplemental Edition 3 July/August 2013
- Livestock Matters Edition 4 September 2013
- Livestock Matters Edition 4.1 September 2013
- Livestock Matters Edition 5 January 2014
