HL Deb 30 June 1998 vol 591 cc73-4WA
Lord Onslow of Woking

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What recent action has been taken under the legislation governing the import of live fish to prevent the spread of disease among freshwater fish in the United Kingdom waters. [HL2301]

Lord Donoughue

In July 1997, the Government issued a consultation paper seeking views on the possible introduction of a scheme under the Import of Live Fish (England and Wales) Act 1980 to prohibit the introduction or keeping of certain species of non-native fish without a licence. There was a generally favourable reaction to the proposals, and the Government are finalising the details of the scheme. The new scheme is not, however, specifically intended to prevent the spread of disease, since fish disease matters are regulated by the European Union's fish health regime, which is implemented in Great Britain by the Fish Health Regulation 1997, as amended.