IF you go down to the woods today you had better not pick any wild plants – because if they are very rare you could be fined up to £2,000.
The Island’s 66 rarest wildflowers and grasses, not only in woodland areas but around the coast and in other habitats, which need protection, are now covered by the Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000 to deter anyone from uprooting them for their pleasure or sale.
States principal ecologist Mike Freeman, pictured, said that it had taken some time for the list of plants needing protection to be compiled. Following an order made last month by Environment Minister Freddie Cohen, it is now illegal to knowingly pick, collect seed, destroy or sell any of the plants now on the list.
However, if the destruction of these plants takes place during branchage or ploughing when it could not be avoided then that would not be regarded as an offence.
