Courtesy of NAA:
USDA APHIS Aquatic Trade Staff has concluded discussions with the European Commission regarding requirements for exporting live aquatic animals from the United States to the European Union (EU). Following these conversations and in consultation with the European Commission, APHIS has developed comprehensive instructions for U.S. stakeholders outlining the steps necessary to meet these requirements and align with the importing country’s expectations. These instructions have been posted on the APHIS website: Export Live Animals to European Union.
A brief overview of these changes from “Model Animal Health Certificate for the Entry into the Union of Aquatic Animals Intended for Certain Aquaculture Establishments, for Release into the Wild or for Other Purposes, Excluding Human Consumption” include:
- Requirements to export live aquatic animals to countries in the EU will depend on:
- Species to be exported
- Whether EU considers this species “susceptible” to, or a “vector” for pathogens of concern
- Whether importing EU Member State has measures in place for the pathogens of concern
If you have questions or concerns regarding these export requirements, please reach out to VETS.RAEF@usda.gov.
Additionally, the NAA would like to hear from exporters and producers regarding their experiences with the live aquatic export process. We encourage members to share feedback, whether positive or challenging, about navigating APHIS requirements, communicating with APHIS during the process, or addressing issues that arise during the process of exporting live animals. Your experiences help us better understand the practical impacts of these requirements and ensure we are effectively representing and communicating industry and stakeholder needs. If you have information or experience you would like to share, please reach out to us at NAA@nationalaquaculture.org or fill out the contact form on our website. All information will be kept confidential, and will not be shared without permission.