ASIAN hornets “cannot realistically be eradicated” from the Island and resources must be targeted towards “managing their impact”, the Environment Minister has said.
Senator Mary Le Hegarat said that the invasive species is now a pest problem that “Jersey will need to live with” and efforts to curb numbers must focus on “nests that pose the greatest risk to public safety”.
The minister, who took over the Environment brief following June’s election, highlighted that, while budgets were “currently being discussed”, any decisions on further investment in relation to the issue – such as to increase nest tracking and destruction capacity – would have to be based “on what delivers the greatest benefit”.
She cited a need to “continue to focus on reducing risks to the public, businesses, beekeepers and the environment”.
Earlier this month, senior scientific officer Alastair Christie said that Jersey was “losing the war” against Asian hornets, which were first spotted in the Island in 2016.
There has been a significant rise in the number of nests being discovered, from 63 in 2021 to around 700 in 2025 – with a similar figure already dealt with so far this year.
Mr Christie pointed out that “difficult decisions” would have to be made about the level of control Jersey would pursue and how much it would cost.
Responding to questions from the JEP, Senator Le Hegarat hailed the “excellent” work being carried out by Natural Environment officers, volunteers and professional pest controllers in responding to “unprecedented” numbers of Asian hornet reports.
“Their work has significantly slowed the establishment of this invasive species in Jersey,” she said.
“However, Asian hornets are now established here and cannot realistically be eradicated.
“Our focus must be on managing their impact and prioritising resources towards nests that pose the greatest risk to public safety, while continuing to review how we can best respond in the longer term.”
Commenting on whether the issue would require greater investment, the minister said that budgets were “currently being discussed”.
She added: “Any decisions on further investment would need to be based on what delivers the greatest benefit, whether that is increasing nest tracking capacity, expanding nest destruction resources, or focusing efforts on higher-risk locations and situations.”
Nest destruction work is carried out through a partnership involving government officers, trained volunteers and professional pest controllers.
Asked if she was concerned about the number of Asian hornets that could be in Jersey by this time next year if the current approach was maintained, Senator Le Hegarat said: “Asian hornets are now a species that Jersey will need to live with, and there are understandable concerns about how their numbers may develop in the future.”
She noted that future populations “will depend on several factors”, including weather conditions and the success of ongoing control measures.
“It is important that we continue to focus on reducing risks to the public, businesses, beekeepers and the environment.
“We will continue working with officers and stakeholders to ensure Jersey has a practical and sustainable approach to managing their impacts.”
