Fish and Shellfish

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From 15 January 2022, the requirement for health attestation by an Official Veterinarian (OV) will apply to an extended range of commodities when exported to the EU or Northern Ireland, including live aquatic animals that are traded as live animals for aquaculture and the pet trade.

Currently, Fish Health Inspectors (FHI) are permitted to sign animal health certificates that

accompany consignments of live aquatic animals from Great Britain to EU member

states. However,

the EU has introduced a new model Animal Health Certificate

‘AQUA-ENTRY-ESTAB/RELEASE/OTHER’, contained within Annex II of Regulation 2020/2236

and found here, which requires certification by an OV.

Live aquatic animals moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will also be required to

be accompanied by this certificate from 15 January 2022.

The types of aquatic animals that can be traded under the certificate include, for example:

• ornamental fish for the pet trade
• live aquatic animals for aquaculture purposes, such as fish eggs (for hatching)
• live bivalves exported for ongrowing
• aquatic animals exported for research.