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Inspectors from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) have reported to the authorities a man from Kent for importing 64 large live carp from France without correct fish health certification. The attempted movement took place at Dover docks during the early hours of Friday, 24 November 2006. This is the latest in a series of successful interceptions of live fish in recent months.
HM Customs officers stopped the man who had no health certificate for the fish, which is required under fish health regulations. In addition, the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), which is based at Cefas, had not been notified of an intention to import the fish. This is a legal requirement.
Officers from the State Veterinary Service (SVS) at Dover assisted in the operation. The carp, weighing up to 43lbs each, were humanely destroyed.
Samples taken from the consignment are being examined at the Cefas laboratory in Weymouth, Dorset. The FHI checks that such fish do not carry serious fish diseases that could seriously impact on the health of native fish.
Stephen Maidment, a FHI enforcement officer, commented: ?Many responsible angling organisations have worked hard to prevent the spread of fish disease. It only takes one such consignment of diseased fish to bring about widespread mortalities at fisheries across the country.
The Cefas spokesman added: ?This operation once again illustrates how effectively government agencies are co-operating over the problem of illegal fish imports.?
