NEWS FLASHES

AUSTRALIA TO RESTRICT IMPORTS?
To reduce the risk on imports of certain iridovirusses, the Australian government is in the process for developing legislation to address these risks. In July a report was published which can be downloaded here.
Main recommendation: restrict imports from disease free countries only, or start batch testing of all poecilids, gouramis and cichlids, which enter Australia. This is about 67% of all Australian imports!
Read more

ENGLAND AND WALES GO FOR KHV STATUS “INFECTED”
The competent authority of the United Kingdom, Defra, has informed the stakeholders as follows:
“Following a lengthy consultation exercise and evaluation of the possible benefits and likelihood of success, it has been concluded an eradication programme will not be undertaken for KHV disease in England and Wales.
Read more

 Again new EU Health Certificates
To make you all very happy: the new EU certificates can now be downloaded from the OFI website. Changes are minor and relate to SVC. The certificates may be used as from 15 May 2010 and until 31 July the old certificates may still be used. After this date only the new ones are allowed. Certificates in all languages (for OFI members only)

Catch certificates for marine shrimps
The former DG FISH, now DG MARE, dealing with fisheries in the EU, has introduced new legislation on import of marine fishery products into the EU. The scope of the legislation also covers marine crustaceans and several mollusks. Contacts between OFI and DG Mare have made clear that this was not the aim of the legislation and DG Mare will correct this a.s.a.p.

CITES will not split up arowana
The CITES Conference of the Parties has decided in March that Asian Arowana
may continue to be declared as Scleropages formosus. A proposal to adopt a literature reference splitting up the species into four separate species was not adopted after interventions of Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and OFI. 

Report of OFI Conference on Invasive Alien Species
The report on the OFI Conference on Invasive Alien Species on 30 May 2009 is now available on the OFI website. It can be found on the page dedicated to the IAS. Read more.

Checklist Colombian Freshwater Species
Scientists Javier A. Maldonado-Ocampo, Richard P. Vari and José Saulo Usma published a checklist of the 1435 Colombian freshwater fishes.Read more.

EFSA Opinion on susceptible species
The European Food Safety Authority has evaluated the species susceptible to the diseases listed in the EU Aquatic Health Directive 2006/88 and has made a recommendation. Especially for Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome this differs considerably from the present EU list of susceptible species. Read more.

Invasive Alien Species
Invasive alien species may cause great damage to biodiversity, economy and human health. The ornamental aquatic industry is one of the potential pathways for Invasive Alien Species. Read more.

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