Freedom of Information

Access to Information

The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) aims to work openly and with integrity, balancing the sensitive nature of data we hold with the need to make information available where appropriate.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000 gives a general right of access to any public authority’s information, whether the request is from a private individual or a company based either in the UK or from elsewhere in the world. Additionally information can be released under the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004 and the Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998.

How to request information

FOIA and DPA requests must be in writing, while EIR requests can be made verbally. Requests need not mention the relevant legislation. The FHI can be contacted at fhi@cefas.co.uk or by phone on 01305 206700.

We will respond as soon as possible but in no more than 20 working days for FOIA enquiries, within 2 months for EIR requests and 40 calendar days for subject access requests under the DPA. Occasionally more time may be required to gather and collate a response, if this is the case you will be informed why and when a response can be expected.

Be aware that charges can apply to certain requests. You will be informed of these as early as possible and before the information is produced or released. This allows you to decide whether you wish to proceed.

Requests for information must be specific and more importantly precise. If you ask the wrong or an ambiguous question you may not receive the information you were hoping for.

Is all information requested released?

As you are aware public authorities hold a wide variety of information including personal data and commercial records, so it is not always appropriate for a public authority such as the FHI to release information when it is requested.

We always take care to balance the request submitted against the sensitivity of the data we hold. This is called the public interest test, for example if we released information about every site that asked us to investigate a mortality problem it may deter individuals from seeking our help.

Where possible we will always endeavour to fulfil requests for information. However for example under the FOIA there are over 20 categories of exemptions, so information will not always be released or released in its entirety.

Frequently received requests

Information about a site or company

We regularly receive requests for information about farms, importers and suppliers of specified species.

Under EU fish health legislation all Member States are required to publish specific records about their aquaculture production businesses and authorised processing establishments. The FHI has made this available on the APB England and Wales register webpage .

The disease history of a site

The FHI work closely with industry to minimise the threat of disease to their businesses, their customers and the natural aquatic environment. To do this we rely on individuals and businesses coming to us for help.

The only information we release about the disease status, or history of a site, is if it has been subject to a Designated Area Order (DAO), under historic legislation, or a Confirmed Designation (CD) under current legislation. These Confirmed Designations are made public through our Confirmed Designation webpage and remain in place until we are confident the disease is no longer present at the site.

There are occasions when we investigate mortalities that do not result in a CD being placed on the site. These include:

• Where no cause is identified
• Where a health issue other than a notifiable disease is identified
• Pollution incidents
• Where the site clears and disinfects under FHI supervision

We will not release information about such investigations on specific sites.

Further information

Further information about FOIA, EIR and DPA can be found on the Direct Gov website.

Additional information about how Cefas manage the release of information can be found on the Cefas FOI webpage.