29/04/2014 BBC Channel Islands News

Good evening. in a few man5tes. Now we

Good evening. Hundreds of thousand of pounds of

taxpayers' money will be spdnt getting Jersey's cattle back on the

EU export market. The States claim the island's herd has been free from

bovine TB, brucellosis and Dnzootic bovine leukosis for decades, but the

testing regime in the island doesn't meet European regulations. Despite

this, exports to the UK had continued, but last autumn, the EU

ruled this was no longer acceptable, effectively banning the export of

Jersey's cattle. Sophie Sulheria reports.

It's an island icon recognised across the world. The reput`tion of

high health in Jersey's herd is key to its success so it's little

surprise that the temporary ban on the exportation of cattle could hit

the island's trade hard. In fact the Economic Development departlent

estimates that in five years, the live cattle industry could lose more

than ?1 million and the dairy industry could lose four tiles that.

Frustrating for the island's chief vet who insists the herd is free

from disease. It has meant that people who were planning to export

soon cannot do so because conditions have to be Compline with. Btt as

soon as testing gets started, people will be eligible to export `fter six

months. The economic development department

say they've acted as quicklx as possible. We have only had that

programme in the last few months. I have had to go to the Counchl of

ministers to ask for contingency funding or the next two years. That

extra money will fund the initial testing programme which costs more

than ?300,000. In total, it will cost more than ?500,000 over five

years to carry out the testhng. But the economic development department

says if it doesn't go ahead, the industry could see potential losses

of almost ?6 million. The contingency funding has been

approved to the delight of agricultural leaders.

It is very encouraging that local politicians recognise the ilportance

of making sure that our indtstry is on an even keel and an equal footing

with our competitors. Very encouraging that they recognise

that. It will be at least shx months before the testing procedurd can be

pot in place and exports to the UK allowed to resume. Sophie Stlehria,

BBC Channel Islands News, Jdrsey. Well, these regulations affdct

Guernsey's herd too. In a statement this evening, the States told the

BBC that the matter is still under discussion and Guernsey's States

Vetinary Officer has been working closely with his opposite ntmber in

Jersey seeking a solution that can be applied to both Islands.

New psychoactive substances, better known as legal highs, are overtaking

Class A drugs such as heroin in Jersey, according to the island s

police. Three kilos of NPS's, with a street value of ?180,000, h`ve been

seized in the past two weeks. Jen Smith reports.

This is ethylphenidate, or Lagic Crystals, now a Class B drug that

was seized by Jersey Police earlier this month. A few days later,

?120,000 of mephedrone was recovered by Customs and Immigration. Both are

considered New Psychoactive Substances, commonly known `s legal

highs. The seizures represent a worrying trend in Jersey. Over the

last two years, we have had an increase in intelligence and

seizures. We have seen a reduction in drugs such as heroin and we are

seeing these drugs take thehr place. Jersey's Customs and Immigr`tions

Service seized ?2.4 million of drugs last year. Mark Cockerham, Director

of Law Enforcement, says New Psychoactive Substances are becoming

a big part of that. It is ddfinitely a big problem. We are aware of the

problems that have been caused and we have seen an increase in the

number of seizures. It is a priority for the service. In the last three

months of 2013, Jersey's Customs and Immigrations Service was involved in

57 seizures of legal highs, leading to ?60,000 of drugs being rdcovered.

And intelligence passed to TK organisations led to two websites

being dismantled and over 200 kilos of NPS being taken. Jersey police

say despite two deaths in the island in recent years, the messagd about

NPS still isn't getting through That it's dangerous, and not worth

the risk. Voters in Jersey could decide

whether the Bailiff will ce`se to preside over States meetings. The

government will decide tomorrow whether the next Bailiff's role will

change. If that is agreed, voters will be asked what they think in a

referendum this Autumn which will be binding.

Guernsey's publicly`owned ahrline Aurigny has pledged that 60$ of its

Gatwick flights will be priced at ?79 or less. The commitment is part

of an updated agreement between the airline and the states aimed at

ensuring the airline offers good value for money to islanders.

Sport now and Guernsey FC h`ve been beaten 3`2 by Leatherhead tonight.

The Green Lions were in thehr play off semifinal in a bid to bd

promoted for the third year on the trot. We have this report.

A a disappointing night herd. The green Lions went behind early on. It

is booked Leatherhead a place pot`mac but it got pretty close at

the end. Guernsey grabbed two later on. One Guernsey goal was offside,

which would have taken the game to extra time.

That is it for now. Good evening. After a fine dnd to

the day, we will have a few mist patches overnight. Some low cloud

first thing. Mainly drive for tomorrow. The rain will arrhve late

in the day, late afternoon or early evening. Patchy cloud will fade

away. Mist will fill in the gaps by tomorrow morning. After a grey and

misty start, we will have some sunshine for the morning after we

get to the early part of thd afternoon. Then high`level cloud

comes in and rain by the end of the day. Temperatures of 12`14 degrees.

Scattered showers on Thursd`y. Cloudy with light showers on Friday.

A slightly fresher feel as we head into the weekend, but high pressure

is coming back. Good night. some sharp showers. It will be

colder still on Friday. Hello again, the holiday weekend is

not far-away. We are still expecting the weather to change significantly

before then. Some patchy rain from northern Scotland tomorrow. There is

a lot of cloud coming in from the North Sea which is pushing its way

inland. There could be quite a bit of fog around in the morning. It

should be a mild, misty, murky start to Wednesday. The mist and fog

should lift quickly. The cloud thinning and breaking. Sunny spells

developing in many places. That could trigger some or showers. Over

the Pennines we could get some late showers, and tricky for the evening

rush