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| Should other nations follow Alaska's lead in using aquaculture as part of a fishery enhancement programme? |
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Minister urged to rethink slaughter compensation policy 02 June, 2006 - FISHERIES and Angling Conservation Trust Ltd (FACT) is urging David Miliband, the UK's Environment Secretary, to reconsider the position of fish farmers, subject to mandatory fish slaughters in the event of disease outbreaks, being denied compensation for their stock,. The grouping's letter to the Minister comes after the recent discovery of Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, (VHS), in trout stocks in Yorkshire. FACT says there are no measures in place to provide compensation to fish farmers in the event of compulsory slaughter of diseased fish in UK. This contrasts with the situation in regard to other animal husbandry businesses. This, they say, is a long-standing problem that has been in contention for many years and on which government has been "immovable." Control of VHS,says FACT, as well as other serious diseases such as Gyrodactylus Salaris, relies on early reporting of suspicion of disease. There are legal requirements placed on the industry for such reporting and the defence of UK Fish Health relies on that reporting being carried out in a responsible manner. However, reliance on this all important early reporting, without compensation in the event of compulsory slaughter, is the grouping maintains, a seriously weak link in UK Fish Health arrangements and a potential danger to what is a significant part of the UK economy. FACT is advising fishery managers to increase biosecurity measures in the light of this outbreak and to ensure that dips and washes are replaced regularly and used efficiently. Defra said today in an amended press release on the UK outbreak that the presence of VHS has been confirmed at a trout farm in North Yorkshire. VHS is a notifiable disease which affects mainly farmed rainbow trout, and can cause significant fish mortality. Due to the serious nature of VHS, it is standard policy to place controls on entire river catchments on confirmation of the disease. Defra has issued an Order under the Diseases of Fish Act 1937, prohibiting movements of fish to and from the catchment of the River Ouse. Cefas is currently undertaking an epidemiological investigation to determine the source of infection and whether any spread has occurred. Wild and farmed fish are being sampled within the catchment to determine the extent of spread of the infection. The site has been cleared of fish (which have been sent for disposal at an approved rendering plant) and the site is now being prepared for disinfection. Once the disease situation is fully under control certain fish movements may be allowed to take place in the affected area with the supervision of the Cefas Fish Health Inspectorate. Great Britain is currently designated by the EU as an 'Approved Zone' free of VHS which allows safeguards to be placed to minimise the risk of introduction of the disease through trade. This outbreak requires that this status is suspended until it can be redefined to exclude the affected Ouse catchment area. Currently the UK will be unable to trade live fish with VHS free 'Approved Zones' throughout the EU Community. The live fish movement restriction does not apply to the movement of ornamental fish to or from pet shops and aquaria. VHS has no implications for human health.
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