Feds Restrict Koi and Goldfish Shipments
The U.S. Department of Agriculture in late August issued an
interim rule to restrict imports of koi and goldfish into the
United States to prevent further introductions of a serious
contagious viral disease of carp.
In effect since Sept. 29, the interim regulations require
that shipments of any live fish, fertilized eggs and gametes
of fish species that are susceptible to spring viremia of
carp be accompanied by an import permit and health certificate,
and be inspected for disease by a veterinarian at the port
before being released. Only certain ports will be permitted
to accept imports of the restricted fish.
The regulations also include disinfection requirements for
shipping containers.
SVC is not known to exist in farm-raised fish in the United
States, and is considered a foreign animal disease, according
to the USDA.
A koi farm in North Carolina experienced an outbreak of SVC
in April 2002. Two additional cases of SVC were confirmed
in the summer of 2004, in Missouri and Washington. According
to the proposed rule, those cases, since eradicated, were
linked to the unregulated importation of infected fish from
Asian countries.
Although the interim rule has already taken effect, the USDA
is accepting comments until Oct. 30, 2006. Officials are especially
interested in comments regarding the financial burdens associated
with the new procedures and how small importers will be impacted
by the rule. [November 2006 PET AGE]
|
