Imports of Aquaculture live fish, including live shellfish and trout eggs to Northern Ireland from the European Union

Inspection

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Marine and Fisheries Division's, Fish Health Inspectorate will normally inspect all imports at the place of destination. However, checks may also be carried out at the 'port of entry' or at any point on the route to the destination.

Imports arriving in Northern Ireland without the appropriate documentation may render the importer liable to prosecution and may require the consignment to be returned to the country of origin at the importer's expense, or to be destroyed (under Trade in Animals and Related Products regulations (TARP))

Any movement arriving from Northern Ireland without the appropriate documentation must not be released into any waters. 

Imports from the European Union (EU)

The rules explained here apply to all movements of live fish, their eggs and gametes irrespective of the purpose to which they are put. They cover any movement into Northern Ireland from anywhere in the EU.

All movements must comply with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (the Animal Health Law) and associated implementing and delegated legislation governing the movement, certification, traceability and disease control requirements for aquatic animals.

Movement of live aquatic animals into Northern Ireland 

The movement of live aquatic animals, including live fish, shellfish and germinal products, into Northern Ireland is subject to the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (the Animal Health Law) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/990, which lay down animal health, movement, traceability and certification requirements for aquatic animals.

Where required, consignments must be notified on TRACES and accompanied by the appropriate animal health certificate prescribed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2236. The certificate must be completed and signed by the competent authority of the Member State of origin.

All imports must be notified to DAERA at least two working days prior to the intended movement. The notification should include:

• the species contained in the consignment;
• the quantity of aquatic animals being moved, including weight and individual numbers, as appropriate;
• the disease status of the country, zone, compartment or site of origin, as appropriate;
• the method of transportation;
• the port or airport of arrival;
• the flight number, vessel details or vehicle registration, as applicable;
• the expected date of arrival;
• the final destination of the consignment;
• the establishment, zone or compartment of origin, where applicable; and
• details of any accompanying animal health certification and TRACES notification, where applicable.

Animal health certificates and accompanying documentation must contain sufficient information to identify the consignment and ensure traceability to the establishment, zone or compartment of origin and the destination establishment.

If a consignment is divided following import, arrangements must be in place to ensure that the aquatic animals remain traceable to the original consignment and establishment of origin.

Operators of registered and approved aquaculture establishments must maintain records containing at least:

• the species contained in the consignment;
• the quantity of aquatic animals being moved;
• the establishment, zone or compartment of origin, where applicable;
• the destination establishment;
• the date of movement; and
• any animal health certificate accompanying the consignment.

Records must be made available to DAERA on request and retained for a minimum period of three years.

Movements of fish into NI

As Northern Ireland is declared disease free for the listed fish diseases VHS, ISA, IHN & KHV and has Additional Guarantees for BKD, SVC and GS, all movements of live fish, eggs and gametes of susceptible species must only come from other BKD, SVC, GS, VHS, ISA and IHN Disease Free Zones.

Movements of shellfish into NI

With the exception of Lough Foyle and Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland is recognised as free from Bonamia ostreae. Northern Ireland is also recognised as free from Marteilia refringens, with the exception of Dundrum Bay and Belfast Lough.

Movements of mollusc species susceptible to Bonamia ostreae or Marteilia refringens into Northern Ireland must comply with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (the Animal Health Law), Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689, and Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/260 relating to disease prevention, disease-free areas, approved national measures and movement controls for aquatic animals.

Importers must ensure that susceptible shellfish originate from areas meeting the relevant animal health requirements and that any required certification accompanies the consignment.

All imports of shellfish into Northern Ireland must be notified to DAERA at least two working days before the proposed movement date.

Operators of Northern Ireland registered and approved aquaculture establishments receiving the import should submit a notification using the Proposed Fish Movement Form, available here: Notification of Proposed Fish Movement

In addition, a TRACES notification must be submitted by the competent authority in the exporting country before the movement takes place. This notification enables DAERA to assess the import and, where appropriate, issue a Section 13 approval for the movement.

Please note: DAERA cannot issue a Section 13 approval unless a valid TRACES notification has been received.

The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985

The import of any non-native species must be authorised by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) by means of a licence issued under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.

Imports into Great Britain

For details of imports of fish into Great Britain please visit the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) website.

Imports from outside the European Union

Information is also available relating to imports of fish from outside the EU.