FHI Quarterly Report - 1 January to 31 March 2019
Updated 15 November 2019
Applies to England and Wales
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Executive Summary
A review of the quarterly review is currently being undertaken and further additional data will be added to this issue in due course.
1. Statutory Programmes – Inspections and Samples
The FHI finished the quarter with 34% of the total annual finfish programme scheduled for 2019 completed. The overall forecast is on target for the year providing there are no significant changes to impact delivery. The priority programme for this period was salmonid disease surveillance for VHS and IHN, by the end of the quarter the salmonid programme was 76% complete and on track. Industry compliance with conditions of authorisation remains high with no non-compliance findings.
2. Disease Investigation and Statutory Control
A total of two confirmed designations were issued during this quarter following confirmation of Koi herpesvirus (KHV) in Japanese koi carp at ornamental facilities. There was no other incidence of notifiable disease confirmed in this period. The facilities were successfully cleared and disinfected, and the controls lifted. A further 25 Confirmed Designations were lifted from recreational coarse fisheries following successful completion of their KHV monitoring programme. Incidence of new disease investigations was low due to time of year; however, the period was marked by one significant investigation on suspicion of the exotic shellfish disease Bonamia exitiosa. The disease was not confirmed and controls on suspicion were lifted.
3. Enforcement and Investigations
This quarter saw the successful conclusion of one long running operation following an illegal import of French carp. High priority was also given to Operation Lake, with continued good collaboration between the FHI, UK Border Force, Environment-Agency and National Wildlife Crime Unit to tackle the illegal trade in European elvers. The FHI are continuing to develop intelligence led capability, with a successful investigation into the illegal import and distribution of a prohibited non-native species, the red-swamp crayfish.
4. Policy Advice and impact
A very busy quarter dominated by a high level of requests for advice and information in preparation for EU-exit, with much effort focused on preparation for the continuance of existing trade and changes to certification requirements. The FHI has continued to provide technical advice for development of the delegated acts under the new Animal Health Regulation (EU Regulation 2016/429) - the Commission has made several changes which could significantly impact trade within the EU, also to the categorisation of diseases and lists of susceptible and vector species which will have some consequence for the UK. The FHI are currently assessing the impact and will report to the Defra Policy customer.