Movements within the European Union and with EFTA States
The European Union is comprised of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Although the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey are part of the United Kingdom, they are recognised as separate health zones from Great Britain (Scotland, England and Wales) and movements of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans and their ova or gametes from these areas into Great Britain must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate, where required.
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States of Norway and Iceland have implemented the relevant fish and shellfish health legislation and can trade as if they were a full member of the EU.
Council Directive 2006/88/EC lays down legislation on animal health requirements and the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals and has been incorporated in to Scottish legislation in The Aquatic Animal Health (Scotland) Regulations 2009.
The Directive identified two categories of disease that should be controlled to prevent introduction or further spread of:
Exotic Diseases - Very serious diseases which are not present in the Community and could have a significant economic and environmental impact. These include:
- Fish - Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) and Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis (EHN)
- Shellfish - infection with Bonamia exitiosa, Perkinsus marinus or Microcytos mackini
- Crustaceans - Taura syndrome and Yellowhead disease.
Non-exotic Diseases - Serious diseases which are present in some parts of the Community. These include:
- Fish - Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA), Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis (IHN), Viral Haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) and Koi Herpes Virus (KHV)
- Shellfish - infection with Bonamia ostreae or Marteilia refringens
- Crustaceans - white spot.
Several diseases are also controlled via national measures to prevent the introduction or spread of those listed diseases. These are:
A list of susceptible species and species capable of acting as vectors can be found in List of Diseases and Susceptible Vector Species.
Movements of fish, shellfish, crustaceans, their ova or gametes of species susceptible to or capable of acting as vectors for the listed diseases are only permitted between Member States, zones or compartments with equivalent health status or from a higher to a lower health status. Movements of species susceptible to or capable of acting as vectors for the listed diseases are prohibited from an area with a low health status to an area with a high health status.
Great Britain is recognised as Category I (free from) with regard to ISA (with the exception of the coastal area of south west Shetland), VHS, IHN, SVC, Gyrodactylus salaris and Marteilia refringens. There are seven areas in Great Britain recognised as being infected with Bonamia ostreae, but the rest of the coastal zone is free. Great Britain has a recognised surveillance programme for OsHV-1 µvar (apart from an area in England) and has a recognised control and eradication programme for BKD. The status of white spot is yet to be determined. The country is classed as Category V (infected) with regard to KHV.
Movements from the European Union and EFTA States into Great Britain
Movements of susceptible species and species capable of acting as vectors for those diseases that Great Britain has control measures in place for, must be accompanied a health certificate issued by the competent authority in the country of origin. The Fish Health Inspectorate at the Marine Laboratory in Scotland must be notified of movements from other EU Member States, zones or compartments or EFTA States at least 24 hours prior to arrival of the consignment. Notification of the arrival of these consignments should be made using the form IMP2.
Businesses or individuals bringing aquatic animals into Great Britain must be authorized to do so under The Aquatic Animal Health (Scotland) Regulations 2009. An application form can be sent out upon request.
Movements to the European Union and EFTA States from Great Britain
Movements of susceptible or vector species to approved Member States, zones or compartments with control measures in place, require the consignment to be inspected by the Fish Health Inspectorate prior to a health certificate being issued. If you require an inspection please notify the Inspectorate using the form EXP1. Notification is required 5 working days prior to departure of the consignment.