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In 1991 the EEC provided a new policy for the regulation and control of fish diseases through the directive 91/67/EEC. All members of the Community had to adapt their national legislation to guarantee the same procedures for detection and control of serious notifiable fish diseases. Directive 93/53/EEC gave the framework for free movement of goods and live animals. Both of these Directives and their amendments have given the basis for the control of aquaculture animal diseases.

The rules regulate the exact diagnostic procedures and methods for serious notifiable diseases, for the approval of disease-free farms and geographic zones, for transport of live fish and the import of fish into the Community from third countries. Having the status of an approved area gives some advantages to the free movement of fish, whereas fish from non-approved farms have not be introduced to them. Notifiable diseases are classified into 3 lists as an annex. List I (strongest rules for eradication of diseases exotic to the Community) comprise only Infectious Salmon Anemia –ISA, list II (the same regulations have to be used in all countries for economically important diseases). Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) and Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis (IHN) are in list II, whereas in list III diseases can, but do not have to be regulated, in the individual Member States. In the last one, Spring viremia of carp SVC, furunculosis, IPN, BKD, ERM, Gyrodactylus salaris and Crayfish plague are listed. 

In the past, salmonid diseases have had the primary role in the regulations reflecting the higher economical importance of salmon and trout farming in the “old” EU. In May 2004, new members will enhance the importance of carp farming, a position which is not yet reflected in legislation.

The effects of the Directives are impressive. The number of farms and zones approved to be free of list II (salmonid) diseases has been increasing enormously, especially in areas having relatively short river systems. However, the number of approved zones is steadily increasing even in central continental Europe,. Regarding the aquaculture of carp, only in the UK has a programme for the control of SVC been developed. In May 2004, Directive 2003/858/EEC, as a revised regulation for import of live fish and eggs, will start listing both the countries allowed to import into the EU and the diseases having to be controlled. However, as a special current problem, Koi Herpes Virus Infection (KHV) is not listed in any of the EU Directives. This disease was regarded as a problem limited to the ornamental carp by the Commission. However, the latest developments have shown that the disease can induce mass mortality in common carp, both farmed and wild, in the UK, Germany and especially in Japan and Indonesia. KHV could be a real threat to the carp industry in European countries, especially in the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The unregulated movement of KHV-harbouring Kois, including the so-called immunized carp, could destroy traditional carp culture. Therefore, recognition of the danger of this disease should be accounted for and added to the appropriate Directive so as to prevent a catastrophe for carp farmers.

Rudolf W. Hoffmann :Institute for Zoology, Fish Biology and Fish Diseases, Veterinary Faculty of the Ludwig Maximilians University Munich

Contact details: R.Hoffmann@zoofisch.vetmed.uni-muenchen.de