New Regulations to Affect Fish Transportation

New EU regulations covering the transport of animals come into force on January 5 2007. They cover anyone transporting vertebrates including fish and will therefore impact on anyone transporting live fish for removals, stocking or between fish farms.

As of the 5th January transporting animals in connection with economic activity needs to hold a transporter authorisation issued by the State Veterinary Service. These authorisations are free if applied for this financial year and will last for 5 years.

The Regulations state

"No animal shall be transported unless it is fit for the intended journey, and all animals shall be transported in conditions guaranteed not to cause them injury or unnecessary suffering"

All persons who take animals on a journey, whatever the length, should always apply the following good transport practice:

The journey is properly planned and time is kept to a minimum and the animals are checked and their needs met during the journey
The animals are fit to travel
The vehicle and loading and unloading facilities are designed, constructed and maintained to avoid injury and suffering
Those handling animals are trained or competent in the task and do not use violence or any methods likely to cause unnecessary fear, injury or suffering
Water, feed and rest are given to the animals as needed, and sufficient floor space and height is allowed

Whilst containers and transport vehicles used for moving other animals, such as cattle and sheep, need to be inspected, those for transporting fish do not.

The regulations do not apply to:

Transportation of animals not in connection with economic activity
Transportation to or from veterinary practices or clinics under veterinary advice
Journeys where the animal is an individual animal, accompanied by its owner or other responsible person
Transportation of animals by hobby breeders - where income source does not exceed expenses of hobby
Journeys where the animals are pet animals accompanied by the owner on a journey
Farmers transporting their own animals, in their own vehicles, under 50km

For more information contact Defra on 020 7904 6581

The State Veterinary Service on 0845 603 8395.

Or visit: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/transport/eu-transportreg.htm