PRESSRELEASE

IMPORTS OF EUS SUSCEPTIBLE FISH INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION RESTRICTED IN 2008?
In August 2008 the new EU Directive on aquaculture heath enters into force. This Directive makes the fish diseases EUS and KHV notifiable within the European Union. This will have consequences for exporters to the EU countries, especially for exporters of EUS susceptible species.

Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome
Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) is considered and exotic disease to the EU. Exports of EUS susceptible species) to the European Union will only be allowed from those countries, areas or farms officially declared free of EUS.

Susceptible species
The EU has listed all species of Catla, Channa, Labeo, Mastacembelus, Mugil, Puntius and Trichogaster as susceptible to EUS. Fishes of these genera include many ornamental species which can be found in every shipment or ornamental fish from Asia to Europe. As OFI we cannot agree with the present EU list of susceptible genera. According to the information provided by Defra/OIE, only one species of Puntius and only one species of Labeo is susceptible to EUS and not a single species of Mastacembelus. OFI is currently discussing with the European Commission the issue of listing these complete genera. The present list, however, is published in the EU Directive 2006/88 and adaptation will need a change of the EU legislation.

Infected countries
OFI has members in a number of countries. According to Defrea/OIE information several countries are considered "enzootic" for EUS. An enzootic disease is constantly present in an animal population, but usually only affects a small number of animals at any one time. Among the listed countries are Singapore and Indonesia. For a number of countries EUS is “Reported present or known to be present”. Among these countries: Australia and the USA. Another category is “Not reported (but the disease is known to occur)”, among which: India, Japan, Malaysia, Burma, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

All these countries might expect restriction for export of species of Channa, Labeo, Mastacembelus, Puntius and Trichopterus to the European Union after 1 August 2008. They can avoid these restrictions if the country, areas or farms are declared free of the disease. OFI is trying to get into contact with the veterinary authorities of these countries to ask their attention for this issue.

Ornamental Fish International (OFI) is the worldwide trade association in the ornamental aquatic industry. For more information go to www.ofish.org or contact the secretariat: secretariat@ofish.org.