Imports of live fish to Britain from elsewhere in the EU

Eyed trout over undergoing incubation These rules are detailed and vary according to species (see Table 1) but,

must be accompanied by the appropriate movement document which has been signed by an official veterinary inspector of the exporting country

And

must be notified to The Fish Health Inspectorate in writing at least 24 hours prior to arrival. A form DOF 14 (Adobe PDF file, 35.2K) can be used for this purpose, sending it by post, fax or e-mail.

Please note all imports of fish eggs must be disinfected on arrival.

Which other zones have been approved as disease free areas?

An up to date list of Approved Zones and further information is obtainable from the Fish Health Inspectorate, at CEFAS Weymouth.

What are "Approved Farms"

EU Approved Farms are fish farms which, although not situated within an EU Approved Zone:

have been regularly tested and found free from appropriate notifiable diseases,
are supplied by well or borehole water
have a natural or artificial barrier between the farm and any migratory fish situated downstream.

Please note: An up to date list of Approved Farms and further information is obtainable from the Fish Health Inspectorate, at CEFAS Weymouth.

Table 1

If you wish to import live fish of the following Groups	Development Stage	Acceptable Source(s)
1.All species of salmon or trout	Live Fish	VHS and IHN Approved Zone only. Note: our additional guarantees for Gyrodactylus salaris mean that imports of live salmonid fish can only come from Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man at present.
1.All species of salmon or trout	Eggs and Gametes	VHS and IHN Approved Zone or Approved Farm.
2.Grayling, Whitefishes, Turbot	Live Fish	VHS Approved Zone only.
2.Grayling, Whitefishes, Turbot	Eggs and Gametes	VHS Approved Zone or Approved Farm.
3.Pike	Live Fish- excluding fry	VHS Approved Zone only.
	Live Fish- fry	VHS and IHN Approved Zone only.
	Eggs and Gametes	VHS Approved Zone or Approved Farm. Note: The Pike must also come from an area of the EU where Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC) is controlled or there is a satisfactory history of testing.
4.Common carp (all variants, including Koi), Grass carp, Bighead carp, Silver carp, Goldfish, Crucian carp, Roach, Rudd, Tench, Orfe, Wels Catfish	Live Fish, Eggs and Gametes	VHS and IHN Approved Zone or Approved farmOrOther farm which does not hold species in Groups 1-3 and is not connected to any other waters. Note: These fish must also come from an area of the EU where SVC is controlled or there is a satisfactory history of testing.
5. Tropical warm water fish intended to be kept permanently in aquaria	Live Fish, Eggs and Gametes	Any (No movement documents required).
6. All other fish species	Live Fish, Eggs and Gametes	VHS and IHN Approved Zone or Approved farm orOther farm which does not hold species in Groups 1-3 and is not connected to any other waters.

What are movement documents?

Consignments of live fish, their eggs or gametes being moved into Great Britain must be accompanied by a movement document. This is an official form, completed by the official fish health protection service of the Member State where the fish originate, and is our assurance that the consignment is safe to enter Great Britain. The document must be drawn up in English no more than 48 hours before the fish are loaded for despatch and is valid for 10 days. You should think of movement documents as a form of fish passport; without them, any introduction of fish (other than tropicals) into Great Britain is illegal.

A list of Species not considered tropical for the purposes of imports under DOF8T licences

If a consignment arrives at a destination without the appropriate documentation the Fish Health Inspectorate, at CEFAS Weymouth must be informed without delay. The fish must not be released into British waters. Importers must keep movement documents for 12 months from the date of the arrival of the consignment.

What if the Rules are not followed?

Since it is illegal to bring in consignments of live fish without the correct movement document, if this occurs importers may be prosecuted and the consignment may be destroyed or returned to the country of origin at the importers expense.