Legislation

This page provides links to the Animal Health Law and its implementing and delegated acts, as well as legislation concerning the categorisation of listed fish and crustacean diseases. The page is updated periodically to reflect the adoption of new legislation.

Disclaimer

The links below lead to eur-lex.europa.eu. On the landing page, please ensure to access the most updated version of the documents by clicking on the link after “In force: This act has been changed. Current consolidated version".

Example:

Animal Health Law

The Animal Health Law, Regulation (EU) 2016/429, was fully implemented by 21st April 2021. 

  • The general rules of the Animal Health Law are included in Commission Implementing Regulation 2024/216 where the application of certain disease prevention and control rules to categories of listed diseases are given as well a list of species and groups of species posing a considerable risk for the spread of those listed diseases are provided.
  • The criteria for conducting surveillance, eradication programmes and obtaining and maintaining disease freedom from the listed disease are included in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 and further consolidated versions.
  • Regulation regarding animal health and certification requirements for movements within the Union of aquatic animals and products of animal origin from aquatic animals are given in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/990 and further consolidated versions.
  • Regulation regarding the rules for entry into the Union, and the movement and handling after entry of consignments of certain animals, germinal products and products of animal origin are given in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 and further consolidated versions.

Categorization of listed fish diseases

The categorization of listed diseases is given in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 and further consolidated version. 

Viral haemorragic septicaemia (VHS)

Infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN)

Infection with HPR-deleted infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV)

Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS), infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) and infection with HPR-deleted infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) fall into the category C diseases (+ D & E). These are diseases of relevance for the member states who must actively prevent their spread to parts of the Union that are officially disease-free or that have eradication programmes for the listed disease concerned.

According to regulation (EU) 2020/689 the samples collected for VHS, IHN and ISAV shall be tested using one or more of the diagnostic methods in accordance with the detailed diagnostic methods and procedures approved by the EURL for Fish Diseases. These detailed diagnostic procedures are given in the respective sampling and diagnostic manuals linked under each of the listed diseases.

Koi herpes virus disease (KHV)

Koi herpes virus disease falls into Category E which means that there is no specific requirement for surveillance in the Union. However, individual Member states can implement surveillance programs and control measures.

For koi herpes virus disease a link is given to the chapter on infection with KHV in the WOAH Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals. This shall be followed until the approved EURL Manual is uploaded on this website.

Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis (EHN)

Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis (EHN) falls into Category A (+ D & E). As the disease is considered exotic in the European Union, immediate eradication measures must be taken.

For the category A disease, infection with epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) a diagnostic manual for the diagnostic procedures in EU is available and procedures shall be followed in case of suspicion of EHN. For further reading a link is given to the chapter on infection with EHNV in the WOAH Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals. 

Categorization of listed crustacean diseases

The categorization of listed crustacean diseases is given in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 and further consolidated version. 

White spot syndrome (WSS)

Infection with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) falls into the category C diseases (+ D & E). These are listed diseases which are of relevance to some Member States and for which measures are needed to prevent them from spreading to parts of the Union that are officially disease-free or that have eradication programmes for the listed disease concerned.

According to regulation (EU) 2020/689 the samples collected for the infection with white spot syndrome virus shall be tested using one or more of the diagnostic methods in accordance with the detailed diagnostic methods and procedures approved by the EURL for fish and crustacean diseases. These detailed diagnostic procedures are given in the sampling and diagnostic manuals on this website.

Infection with yellow head virus

Infection with yellow head virus is listed in Category A (+ D & E), which are diseases that do not normally occur in the Union and for which immediate eradication measures must be taken.

For the infection with yellow head virus a link is given to the chapter in the WOAH Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals. This shall be followed until the approved EURL manual is uploaded on this website.

Infection with taura syndrome virus

Infection with taura syndrome virus is listed in Category A (+ D & E), which are diseases that do not normally occur in the Union and for which immediate eradication measures must be taken. 

For the infection with taura syndrome virus a link is given to the chapter in the WOAH Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals. This shall be followed until the approved EURL manual is uploaded on this website.