Competent Authority

We are the Competent Authority for the implementation in Ireland of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, ‘the Animal Health Law’, as it relates to the health of aquaculture animals and the prevention and control of certain aquatic diseases. We are responsible for:

• Issuing Fish Health Approvals (FHAs) for aquaculture establishments.
• Registration of importers of ornamental fish.
• Registration of specialist transporters of aquaculture animals.
• Assessment and management of imports, exports and internal movements of live aquatic animals.
• Co-ordination of the national fish health surveillance programme.
• Risk-based surveillance of aquaculture establishments through a programme of inspections.

For further details on our work as Competent Authority or to apply for any of the official services outlined above, please visit our dedicated fish health website