§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to ensure that fish imported for angling do not spread disease to native fish species. [5551]
§ Mr. BaldryAll imports of live fish into this country have to meet strict rules intended to prevent the spread of disease. All fish from elsewhere in the European Union that are susceptible to the diseases infectious haematopoietic necrosis and viral haemorrhagic septicaemia have to come from zones approved by the Commission as free of these diseases, and all other fish must either come from such zones or from enclosed waters isolated from natural watercourses; all coarse fish susceptible to the disease spring viraemia of carp have to be certified by the member state of origin as coming from a site that has been tested and found free of SVC. Similar rules apply to fish from third countries, with the exception of tropical fish that cannot survive in the natural environment in this country and goldfish and koi from countries outside the geographical range of SVC.
Over the past year, we have stepped up our efforts to ensure that these rules are observed. We have increased the number of spot checks on imported consignments of coarse fish, and have recruited an additional fish health inspector with an investigative background to concentrate full time on monitoring fish imports. As recommended by the Agriculture Select Committee's recent fifth report, a leaflet and publicity campaign "Don't Import Disease" was launched by my right hon. Friend the Minister on 12 July. This reminded all concerned of the need to follow the rules on imports; of the risks they run if they buy fish of dubious origin; of additional precautions they can take to avoid disease; and of the efforts, including prosecution, we are making to stop illegal imports.