Resignations after cattle breeding defeat

The society voted against importing cattle semen by two to one

The two vice presidents of the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society (RJA) have resigned over concerns about the health of Jersey's dairy herd.

Robert Perchard and Paul Houze have stepped down after members rejected plans to reverse a 240-year-old law banning importation of semen from herds outside the island on Monday.

The RJA's council wanted to improve the health of the island herd by importing semen.

But the society's president, Derek Frigot, said the no vote prompted the two men to resign.

The plans to import the so-called foreign bull semen were defeated by a majority vote of two to one.

Mr Frigot has described it as a terrible blow to the society and the dairy industry.

The society's council has said it will respect the democratic decision of members, but has warned the gene pool of animals on the island is continuing to diminish.

Mr Frigot said the society will hold its annual general meeting in six weeks time and will appoint a new council.

He said it will be up to them to come up with an alternative.