Exports of Fish

Movements of fish and shellfish to other EU Member States are subject to the rules of the EU Fish Health Regime under Council Directive 2006/88/EEC which replaced 91/67/EEC. The Directive was transposed in Northern Ireland by the Aquatic Animal Health Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.

Northern Ireland has Approved Zone status for Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis (IHN), Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) and Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (VHS) and has been granted additional guarantees for the fish diseases Gyrodactylus Salaris (GS), Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC) and Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD). Northern Ireland has also been granted disease free status for the shellfish diseases Bonamia (except in Lough Foyle and Strangford Lough) and Marteillia. Movements of fish and shellfish to most other areas of the EU are therefore allowed and must be accompanied by the appropriate movement documentation attesting to the health status of the consignment. Health Certificates are set out in Council Regulations 1251/2008. DARD Fisheries Inspectorate is responsible for completing the documentation following an inspection of the consignment prior to export.

Any exports to third countries will require documentation to be completed as requested by the official service of that country.

Requests to export fish or shellfish should be notified to Fisheries Division at least 48 hours prior to despatch to enable inspection and certification to be carried out. To notify us please Telephone 028 9052 3491 or Fax 028 9052 3121.