Exports of live fish to countries within the European Union (EU)

Movements of live fish within the EU are generally permitted between geographic areas (termed zones) or farms of equivalent health status, or from zones of high status to those of lower status.

Great Britain is an Approved Zone for Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis (IHN) andViral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (VHS) and has additional guarantees for Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC) and Gyrodactylus salaris (GS), you can therefore export to almost all other areas of the EU.

However, any movements of live fish, their eggs and gametes to other Approved Zones or Farms in the EU must be accompanied by correct movement documents, which attest to the health status of the consignment and are signed by the Competent Authority.

In England and Wales the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), based at CEFAS Weymouth is responsible for the issue of such movement documents. You should provide five working days notice of any intended export so that the FHI can arrange for an inspection to be undertaken and the necessary movement documents to be issued prior to the export.

Currently for exports to Non-Approved Zones or Farms, no movement documentation is required.