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Record fine for Carp Smuggler

12 December 2001

Court hears how wholesaler risked bringing disease to Britain

A record fine and costs totalling almost £30K, are to be paid by a wholesaler of live fish caught smuggling carp into the UK. Pleading guilty to five offences under fish health and import legislation, defendant Andrew Green of Sussex and Surrey-based Star Fisheries, last week admitted:

  • illegally importing live koi carp and goldfish
  • keeping grass carp and sturgeon without a licence
  • failing to comply with the conditions of his fish-keeping licence

Lewes Magistrates Court heard how CEFAS fish health inspectors had tracked and intercepted an Italian lorry entering Mr Green’s premises, after dark, in May 2001. Found to hold a consignment of mixed ornamental fish, including the much-prized koi carp, there were no accompanying healthcheck documents. The deadly fish virus ‘spring viraemia of carp’ (SVC) is widespread in Italy and by bringing stock into the UK having bypassed the necessary checks, Mr Green risked spreading disease among clean British stocks.

Welcoming the court’s decision, Fisheries Minister Elliot Morley said:

"This record fine shows how seriously the court regards smuggling of live fish."

"This illicit and ecologically dangerous black market trade must be stamped out. We must protect legitimate trade in live fish and ensure the survival of the UK’s valuable and diverse wild fish species."

"We intend to come down hard on those who are prepared to flout the law."

The court victory comes soon after the launch of the Government’s new anti-smuggling database. The Live Fish Movements computer database operated at CEFAS, Weymouth enables scientific experts to protect the health of our wild fish stocks by monitoring and checking commercial fish movements.

Note to editors:

1. This landmark case was heard at Lewes Magistrates Court on 7th December 2001.

2. Defendant Andrew Green, operating from premises in Sutton, Surrey and Hadlow Down, Sussex was ordered to pay a total of £29, 808.77 in fines and costs. The previous highest fine with costs imposed for similar activities was around £8,000.

3. UK fish health policy is governed by a 1991 EU Directive which aims to facilitate trade in live fish, shellfish and associated products, whilst preventing the introduction or spread of serious disease. The Prohibition of Keeping or Release of Live Fish (Specified Species) Order 1998 makes it an offence to keep and/or release into any water specified non-native fish species (including certain carp species) without a licence.

4. ‘Spring viraemia of carp’ (SVC) is a contagious viral disease which affects common carp and its ornamental varieties, as well as other species including goldfish, tench, pike and Wels catfish. It often causes significant death rates.

5. Find more on the Live Fish Movements Database and the role of CEFAS in monitoring live imports from our homepage.

6. Fisheries Investigations Inspector Steve Maidment was present at the Green premises interception and subsequently in court. He is available for interview via Karen Triggs at the DEFRA Press Office, on 0207 238 6027.

Press Enquiries: 020 7238 6027;

Public Enquiries: 08459 335577; E-mail: press@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Press Notices available via DEFRA website

http://www.defra.gov.uk


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