Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS)

In October 2006 the EC published Council Directive 2006/88/EC their first complete over-haul of fish health legislation since 1991. Under Annex IV – Disease Listings, Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) was newly listed as an exotic disease to the Community.

A transition period was required to allow time for monitoring, testing and controls to be put in place for EUS across the world. This ends on 31 December 2010.

What species are affected by EUS?

Susceptible species:

Scientific Name	Common Name	Comments
Catla	Gibelion, Catla	Tropical, either certificate
Channa	Snakeheads	Tropical, either certificate
Labeo	Multiple species	Tropical, either certificate
Mastacembelus	Tyre track eels	Tropical, either certificate
Mugil	Mullets	Tropical, either certificate
Puntius	Barbs	Tropical, either certificate
Trichogaster	Gouramis	Tropical, either certificate

Vector species:

Scientific Name	Common Name	Comments
Carassius auratus	Goldfish	Coldwater species, open certificate,
Carassius carassius	Crucian carp
Cyprinus carpio	Common carp
Cyprinus carpio	Koi carp
Leuciscus spp	Chub
Rutilus rutilus	Roach
Scardinus erythrophthalamus	Rudd
Tinca tinca	Tench
Aristichthys nobilis	Bighead carp	Coldwater species, open certificate, keeping licence required #
Hypophtalmichthys molitrix	Silver carp
Anodonta cygnea	Swan mussel	Coldwater species, open certificate
Asracus astacus	Noble crayfish	Coldwater species, open certificate, keeping licence required #
Pacifastacus leniusculus	Signal crayfish
Procambarus clarkii	Redswamp crayfish

# very limited number of scenarios are approved

• Tropical species = those considered not capable of surviving in the natural aquatic environment of GB.
• Coldwater species = those considered capable of surviving in the natural aquatic environment of GB
• Keeping licence – Licence to keep specified non-native species
• Open certificate * = Annex IV Part A of Commission Regulation 1251/2008/EC Closed certificate * = Annex IV Part B of Commission Regulation 1251/2008/EC

* both due for renewal – summer 2010

What does this mean to trade?

All imports of susceptible and vector species arriving in GB from 1 January 2011 will need to be health certificated as free from for EUS.

If you import any of the species listed from outside the EU you must discuss this matter with your suppliers. You should only continue to import these species after 1 January 2011 if they are able to obtain the appropriate health declarations from their competent authority/ certifying official with regard EUS.

What certification is required?

Tropical species destined for closed ornamental facilities can be imported under a closed certificate provided paragraph II.2 is completed correctly for susceptible species.

Tropical species can also be imported on the open certificate provided paragraph II.2 is completed correctly for susceptible species.

Coldwater species destined for sites in GB must be imported under the open certificate. An EUS declaration must be made at paragraph II.3 as the coldwater species are vector species rather than susceptible species.

A mixed consignment of tropical and coldwater species should be imported under an open certificate with both paragraphs II.2 and II.3 completed for EUS.

Please remember a health certificate must make the correct declarations for all species covered by it and the certifying officer must only attest for diseases where the declarations made can be met at the site of origin.

What if there is a problem when importing?

If there is a problem when importing EUS susceptible/ vector species after 1 January 2011 the consignments risk will be assessed.

If the risk posed is high the consignment may not be allowed to leave the Border Inspection Post (BIP). However if the risk posed by the consignment can be isolated sufficiently to pose a low risk to the health status of GB the consignment can be placed under a Regulation 22 Notice see our Regulation 22 webpage.

This will require all susceptible and vector species to be detained and isolated while the problem is resolved, in the same way the other susceptible species such as koi carp and goldfish are now.