New fish health regulations have been introduced which apply to importers of aquatic animals for ornamental purposes. The regulations relate to the European Commission's Council Directive 2006/88//EC which was transposed into Irish law by S.I. 261 of 2008 as amended.
If you are importing ornamental aquatic animals either for commercial purposes or personal use you must register with the Marine Institute as an ornamental importer and notify us at least 24 hours in advance of any import. You must ensure that the import, sale or supply of that animal does not present a risk to the health of the animal or the health of another aquatic animal.
You must also ensure that the animal is accompanied by an appropriate health certificate issued for the purposes of Council Directive 2006/88/EC stating that the animal is free of the diseases listed in Part II Annex IV to the Directive and diseases for which Ireland has national measures granted under Commission Decision 2010/221/EU.
Register of Ornamental Importers
A register of ornamental importers was established in early 2010. All importers of aquatic animals for ornamental purposes are required to register with the Marine Institute.
To join the register please complete the attached application form
Advance notification of imports
All imports of aquatic animal for ornamental purposes must be notified to the Marine Institute at least 24 in advance of departure from the site of origin. An import notification form can be downloaded here.
The only EXCEPTION to this requirement relates to imports from Northern Ireland, where the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will notify the Marine Institute directly of such imports (i.e. the importer does not have to notify us). It should be noted however, that to import ornamental animals from Northern Ireland, you must still appear on the private Register of Importers.
Tropical fish/molluscs/crustacea can be imported from any EU member State and third countries which are members of the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE)
Cold-water ornamental fish/molluscs/crustacea can be imported from countries/areas within the EU that have appropriate national measures under Commission Decision 221/2010/EU (see Annex I) and countries outside the European Community that are listed in Annex III of Commission Regulation 1251/2008
Health Certificates Required
The table below shows which animal health certificates are required under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1251/2008 and Commission Decision 2010/221/EU. Both you and your supplier should be aware of these requirements. Your supplier should arrange to have the consignment certified by the relevant authorities in the country of origin.
| Consignment for Import |
Certificate Required |
|
Coldwater ornamental fish from another EU Member State |
1251/2008, Annex II Part A, as amended by Regulation 346/2010 |
|
Tropical ornamental fish from another EU member State |
Certification is not required |
|
Coldwater or mixed (coldwater and tropical) ornamental fish from outside the EU |
Commission Regulation 1251/2008/EC Annex IV Part A, as amended by Regulation 346/2010 |
|
Tropical ornamental fish from outside the EU |
1251/2008, Annex IV Part B, as amended by Regulation 346/2010
(or 1251/2008, Annex IV , Part A, as amended by Regulation 346/2010 if part of a mixed consignment) |
Note: Tropical species are ornamental aquatic animals which are held in heated aquaria and which are not capable of surviving in the natural aquatic environment in Ireland.
The Marine Institute is the competent authority for the implementation of fish health regulations. Other regulations may apply when importing ornamental aquatic animals, for example the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Veterinary Border Inspection Posts
If you are importing from a third county your consignment must enter the European Community through a Border Inspection Post (BIP) that is authorised to accept live fish. BIPs are European Union approved entry points for animals/animal products originating in countries outside the EU. Ireland does not have a BIP authorised to accept live fish, except Shannon which is authorised to accept live ova.
Imports of live fish from outside the European Community must arrive in Ireland via an EU BIP authorised to accept live fish. The BIPs at London Heathrow and Frankfurt are regularly used for the import of ornamental aquatic animals.
A full list of the veterinary border inspection post with contact details can be accessed here.