Transparency data

FHI Quarterly Report - 1 April to 30 June 2014

Updated 12 March 2015

Applies to England and Wales

1. Finfish and shellfish health

As ambient water temperatures increased during spring the fish health programmes conducted by the Fish Health Inspectorate changed in emphasis from the coldwater diseases of salmonids to surveillance for diseases that are prevalent at higher water temperatures such as spring viraemia of carp (SVC) and koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease. The winter/spring salmonid programme was successfully completed during the quarter.

The spring SVC programme which takes place when water temperatures are between 5°C and 17°C was successfully completed on fish farms holding susceptible species with no evidence to indicate the presence of the disease.

The KHV surveillance programme on fish farms commenced at the beginning of June when inland water temperatures rose above 16°C, and by the end of June the programme was 60% complete. Again no evidence was found to indicate the presence of KHV disease on fish farms holding common carp and its varieties.

2. Disease investigations

In April as part of our import surveillance programme, a sample of pearlscale goldfish imported from Hong Kong was submitted for disease screening. Whilst the testing was underway, the importer reported that the fish, which were held in an on-site isolation unit, were dying in large numbers. Statutory controls, through an initial designation on suspicion of notifiable disease, were placed on the facility and on a separate importer who had sourced fish from the same supplier. Diagnostic tests confirmed the presence of spring viraemia of carp (SVC) of the Asian genotype in the import sample, and a supervised cull and disinfection was conducted on the isolation unit. The benefit of operating an authorised isolation facility was again demonstrated as the disease outbreak was contained and resolved with minimal financial loss to the importer. Tests on the stocks at the other importers facility proved to be negative. The Hong Kong authorities acted rigorously in investigating the potential source of infection and suspended trade from the exporting company whilst local investigations were conducted. It was subsequently established that the affected fish were sourced from a new supplier to the exporting company with the fish originating from a farm on mainland China (Shanghai).

The FHI, along with colleagues from the Environment Agency, were involved in disease investigations on managed fisheries throughout England. Increasing water temperatures during the month of June resulted in a high number of reports of mortalities in coarse fisheries, and in particular a large number of deaths of common carp. Samples taken from five fisheries were confirmed as positive for KHV disease, and statutory controls through confirmed designations were applied.

Following notification of losses of koi carp at an ornamental wholesaler’s premises diagnostic tests confirmed koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease in the stock. This small wholesaler specialises in the import of high value koi from Japan. A supervised cull and disinfection was conducted.

Persistent mortalities in rainbow trout fingerlings were reported from a hatchery in England. Diagnostic sampling revealed the presence of freshwater amoebae in the gills. Whilst other factors such as the failure to protect the stock against rainbow trout fry syndrome (RTFS) may have been influential in the fish deaths, the amoeba may have been a contributing factor in the mortalities. The organism is now in culture prior to further research into its virulence.

Statutory controls through an initial designation were placed on three shellfish farms in eastern England in 2013 following mortalities associated with the presence of a newly described microcell parasite Microcytos mimicus. Inspection of the stocks in spring 2014 showed no sign of disease, and diagnostic tests on a sample of Pacific oysters were negative for M.mimicus. The statutory controls will remain in place on the shellfish farms as a precautionary measure for a further year. They will then be subject to review following the completion of a further round of inspections and diagnostic tests.

The FHI are providing support to a research project taking place in an oyster herpesvirus (OsHV-1 µvar) containment area, where juvenile Pacific oysters have been introduced from a number of sources in order to establish whether there is any natural immunity to infection. Mortalities of around 25% in some stocks were found in June, and diagnostic tests confirmed infection with OsHV-1 µvar. This research programme is continuing.

Work is continuing in conjunction with the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) on unexplained mortalities of scallop in Lyme Bay where fishermen are reporting high levels of dead shell.

2.1 Breakdown of fish activities

Activity	Number
Compliance visits to authorised APBs	156
Routine disease inspections	134
Surveillance or sample on suspicion of notifiable disease	53
Visits resulting from confirmation of notifiable disease	40
Authorised inspections	36

2.2 Breakdown of shellfish activities

Activity	Number
Compliance visits to authorised aquaculture production businesses	8
Routine disease inspections	4
Surveillance on suspicion of notifiable disease	7

3. Investigations and enforcement

The FHI carried out an inspection of a consignment of fish imported from the Czech Republic at Dover docks. Whilst the consignment and associated paperwork was correct these interceptions are useful in reinforcing the import requirements with importers. Collaboration with UK Border Force continues to be excellent both at Dover and at Coquelles.

Investigations are continuing into allegations that an Italian fish farmer is offering weekly delivery of common carp to fisheries in England. There are currently no fish farms in Italy with the health status that would permit this trade.

The FHI undertakes sampling of fish on farms for veterinary residues on behalf of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). Following the detection of an unauthorised substance, leucomalachite green, in rainbow trout on a fish farm the FHI has provided advice to VMD and to the fish farmer on culling the affected population, and managing the stocks to avoid any further contamination. Investigations are continuing into the source of the contamination.

3.1 Breakdown of investigations and enforcement activities

Activity	Number
Regulation notices	41
Advice and warning letters issued	3
Enforcement notice	0
Unannounced visits	13

4. Advice and representation

The head of the FHI Kevin Denham was invited to the Angling Trust Fish Welfare meeting and gave a presentation on fish viruses. The meeting concluded with an open forum for members of the group to raise issues of concern with the FHI and the Environment Agency.

Angela Trent the FHI Operations Manager attended the 18th annual workshop of National Reference Laboratories for Fish Diseases held at the National Veterinary Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark in May 2014.

Alasdair Scott a senior Fish Health Inspector is currently supporting Defra in negotiations on new legislation on animal health. Comment has been provided on latest draft of the aquatics section of Part 4 of the draft Animal Health Regulations. Alasdair has also attended two European Commission working groups in support of the Defra lead official.

The FHI hosted a meeting at the Cefas Weymouth Laboratory with members of the Environment Agency’s National Fisheries Services to review sample submission processes, and to provide laboratory training in basic microbiology procedures.

The transfer of information on aquatic animal health from the Defra aquatic animal health and movements website to the GOV.UK website has now been completed as a part of the digital transformation of Government initiative.

Members of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) visited the Cefas Weymouth laboratory where the head of the FHI gave a presentation on aquaculture in the UK and the regulatory role of the FHI.

The FHI provided training to AHVLA Border Inspection Post staff on aquatic animal trade issues and provided advice to colleagues in AHVLA in advance of the EU’s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) mission to the UK on the verification of the effectiveness of import control systems.

A senior Field Inspector delivered a presentation to the British Koi Keepers Society (BKKS) on biosecurity and diseases of koi.

5. Service charter

Below is a breakdown of our performance against targets our service charter.

Activity	Number
Correspondence	128
Telephone enquiries received	804
Email enquiries	1,625
Visitors to AAHM website prior to transition to GOV.UK website	12,295
Visitors to GOV.UK website	3,752
Movement document applications	111 (100% achieved)
Fishery and AAH registrations	168 (100% achieved)
Test results and visit only letters	327 (93% achieved)
Overall compliance rate within target	98%

A full breakdown of the FHI’s performance under the service charter is available in Issue 15 of Finfish News.

6. Trade

The total number of aquatic trade consignments imported into England and Wales from other EU countries in the last quarter was 107. The breakdown is as follows:

Country	Number
France	38
Guernsey	14
Netherlands	14
Eire	10
Portugal	8
Germany	7
Denmark	6
Northern Ireland	4
Austria	3
Belgium	2
Hungary	2
Iceland	2
Spain	1

The total number of aquatic trade consignments exported from England and Wales to countries in the EU in the last quarter was 151. The breakdown is as follows:

Country	Number
Eire	66
Jersey	17
Netherlands	11
Germany	10
Czech Republic	6
France	5
Northern Ireland	5
Denmark	4
Guernsey	3
Poland	3
England	2
Greece	2
Italy	2
Latvia	2
Lithuania	2
Spain	2
Austria	1
Estonia	1
Malta	1
Norway	1
Sweden	1

7. Next quarter

• Conclusion of the KHV sentinel programme.