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Members' Update 37/09
Dear members,
In this Update:
- INVITATION INDAQUARIA 2010
- EU QUESTIONNAIRE ON ANIMAL HEALTH
- CITES COP
- ADDITIONS TO THE QUEENSLAND NOXIOUS SPECIES LIST?
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FREE PARTICIPATION IN INDAQUARIA 2009
In February 2010 OFI member MPEDA will organize IndAquaria-10, including an Ornamental Fish Business Meet. OFI is requested to assist the organization to make this event a success and will also participate in the event.
One of the activities will be a buyers-sellers meet. In 2008 and 2009 this event was very successful for all parties. All importers are invited to attend this event. For a limited number of importers, members of OFI, the organizer MPEDA will carry all costs for flight and hotel. If you are interested to profit from this excellent opportunity to get to know the Indian ornamental aquatic industry, please contact Mr Anikuttan (anikuttan@mpeda.nic.in or dranikuttan@gmail.com).
EU QUESTIONNAIRE ON ANIMAL HEALTH
In the process of the creation of an EU Animal Health Law the European Commission has published a questionnaire in their website. This questionnaire is addressed to anyone with a stake in animal health and welfare, especially stakeholders involved in keeping live animals and in the production of, trade in, import or export of live animals and products of animal origin, or in legal and economic affairs related to these areas including non-professional animal keepers, national organizations, associations, etc.
The European Commission is calling on all those with an interest in animal health who wish to play a role in optimizing the framework, performance and results of veterinary public administration in the EU, in particular those who are in a position to provide as much factual, quantifiable information as possible to confirm either the proposed approach or any other approach.
An on-line interactive version of the questionnaire is under the final stages of development and will be available in a few days.
Of course OFI will fill in this questionnaire as well.
CITES COP
The agenda and working documents of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES have now been posted on the CITES website at http://www.cites.org/eng/cop/14/doc/index.shtml. The proposals do not include South American Stingrays (OFI's effort has proven successful) nor Banggai Cardinalfish. We still have to study the present proposals.
ADDITIONS TO THE QUEENSLAND NOXIOUS SPECIES LIST?
The Queensland Government is expanding the State's noxious fish list in a bid to further protect native fish stocks. Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said a list of the proposed additions had been released for public comment. "In August this year, 70 species of fish from 47 different groups were added to the national noxious fish list, and subsequently to the Queensland legislation" Mr. Mulherin said. "We are now looking to add a further 71 species to the national noxious fish list. "To ensure stakeholders, such as the ornamental and aquarium industry have a say on what will be added to the list, we are asking people to provide their feedback. "Mr. Mulherin said the Government was continuing to review the noxious species list to protect freshwater habitats and Queensland's native fish stocks. "That means some ornamental fish species, in the future, may no longer be legally traded," he said. "Among the species of fish we banned in August were alligator gar, African pike, giant cichlid, squarehead catfish, the marble goby and silver carp." If any of these species were released into our waterways they would seriously harm native species, damage the environment, and could severely impact on our freshwater recreational and commercial fisheries. "Tilapia is just one example of a fish that has found its way into our waterways and has had significant impact on our fish stocks. "If tilapia became established in the Gulf of Carpentaria Catchments, they could reduce the value of the commercial barramundi fishery by $2.28 million per annum through reduced yields of up to twenty percent. "Tilapia have already been the subject of several eradication programs throughout Queensland, which is why they're banned. "It is an offence t o possess or catch fish that are already declared noxious, such as tilapia, and penalties up to $200 000 can apply." The public consultation period for the additions to the national noxious fish list will close on 30 November 2009. For a full proposed list of noxious species or to provide feedback visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au. Feedback can also be provided by fax (07) 3224 2805 or email pestfish@deedi.qld.gov.au
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With kind regards,
Alex Ploeg & Roberto Hensen
OFI Secretariat
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