Import and Export legislation - Ornamental Fish International

Ornamental Fish International
and more countries will demand
proven expertise in the form of
certification for the trade in live
ornamental fish, especially in relation
to animal welfare. Countries will also
put demands on the way in which fish
are kept. Such legislation is already in
place in countries such as Germany
and Austria.
More and more countries are
developing legislation to protect their
own fauna, among which their
ichthyofauna, their fish. Especially
countries which are rich in ornamental
fish are taking measures, e.g. in South
America. Brazil works with a positive
list of fish allowed to be exported
(Table I, at the end of this chapter),
and also has established export quota
for certain fish
as well
protective
legislation for
certain
species (Table
II and III).
Peru works
with a list of
species
prohibited for
export and
with a quota
system (Table
IV, at the end
of this
chapter) for
some fish.
Countries in
other parts of
the world such
as Sri Lanka
68
Legislation
and Singapore also have strict
regulations. Other countries have
taken measures to prevent imported
fish from becoming established in their
territory (e.g. USA for Piranhas and
Snakeheads, UK for a variety of
coldwater fish and Australia for many
fish species). Legislation in the USA is
further complicated by the fact that
some states prohibit fish which are
allowed in others).
Importers should be aware of these
restrictions for their own country, but
also for the country from which they
import!
Handling or ornamental fish at the Animal Hotel of KLM at Schiphol
Airport. Photo: KLM Cargo