OFI feared consequences for exporters

In August 2008, the new EU directive on aquaculture health enters into force. Ornamental Fish International (OFI), the worldwide trade association in the ornamental aquatic industry, states: “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 (EUS) is considered an 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. The EU has listed all species of Catla, Channa, Labeo, Mastacembelus, Mugil, Puntius and Trichogaster as susceptible to EUS. Among the listed countries are Singapore and Indonesia. For a number of countries EUS is “reported present or known to be present”. These countries include Australia and the USA. Another category is “not reported (but the disease is known to occur)”. India, Japan, Malaysia, Burma, Sri Lanka and Thailand feature in this group.