You can apply to export aquaculture and aquaculture products by following the link below. ‘Aquaculture animal’ means any aquatic animal at all its life stages, including eggs and sperm/gametes, dead, reared in a farm or mollusc farming area, including any aquatic animal from the wild intended for a farm or mollusc farming area. ‘Aquaculture products’ means any product derived from ‘aquaculture animals’. Here you will find guidance and templates to help you make your application.
NB: Live oysters for direct human consumption are certified by local authorities and applications for these exports can be made via the Fish and Seafood Products route.
Before you start
In order to begin your application on the DAERA Export Certification Online system (DECOL) you will need to have completed the export health certificate (EHC) application form ready for upload.
The export health certificates are issued by Fisheries Inspectorate Officers in Downpatrick.
All applications must be submitted to DECOL at least three working days before date of movement to allow Marine & Fisheries Division to plan an inspection of your consignment for export.
If you need assistance to complete a digital application for an EHC please contact:
Fisheries InspectorateRathkeltair House
Ballydugan Road
Downpatrick
BT30 6UU Telephone: 028 4461 8059
Extension: 58059
Email: Fish.Health@daera-ni.gov.uk
Obtaining an EHC
Exports to EU Countries
You will find the EHC application for export to EU countries at the link below:
Exports to Third Countries (non-EU countries)
You will find the EHC application and Notes For Guidance for export to third countries at the link below:
Please download and complete the relevant EHC application above. Upload this to DECOL via the “Yes-certificate complete and ready to upload” flow.
Exporters should review the Notes for Guidance, where available, to ascertain if product is eligible for export. You should also check if you need to obtain import permits or importing authority approvals. Where needed, these should be obtained from the importing authorities prior to applying for an EHC and uploaded along with all other supporting documents via DECOL.
Guidance on using DECOL is available in the exporter’s instructions at the link below:
Disease status for aquaculture exports
The disease status for aquaculture products harvested in Northern Ireland can be viewed at the following link:
Schedule for additional product information
If there is insufficient space on the EHC application to record full product details you need to complete a schedule and submit this with your application. The schedule and instructions for completion are available using the link below:
Related articles
- Fish Health Background
- Authorisation of aquaculture production business
- Brexit - preparing the NI Fishing and Seafood Sector for day 1 EU Exit
- Export Health Certificates (EHCs) not available on Form Finder
- Exports of fish
- Fish health Inspections
- General rules on marketing and movement of fish in Northern Ireland
- Imports of fish to Northern Ireland from outside the European Union
- Imports of fish to Northern Ireland from the European Union
- Internal fish movements
- Milk and milk products Q & A
- National controls for the importing of molluscan shellfish, fish and lobsters
- Northern Ireland disease status and designation notices
- The Aquatic Animal Health Regulations