Importing Plants And Maybe Fish From Belguim

[dave_m13]

Hi

A quick question, I am based in Belguim most of the week and was wondering whether there are any laws or anything I may need to be aware of if bringing in live plants/ or fish in the UK. Been looking at previous posts it looks as I do not need a licence but is there anything else I may need.

Also what would be needed to bring them back to the uk. Its basically a 6-8 hr journey in the car/boat.

How long will plants last out of what, seen some great stuff, only been to one lfs but some of the plants were realy good.

Thanks
Dave

 

[Jules H-T]

You want to be very, very, careful. This guy got caught smuggling carp:

http/www.defra.gov.uk/news/2003/030328c.htm

Were I you, I would find my information out direct from Customs and Excise, or DEFRA, rather than from an internet forum where you could be told anything.

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

that guy was cought with diseased carp totally different to what he asked

 

[Jules H-T]

He was caught importing fish without the necessary documentation. That they were diseased didn't help him.

Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement officer Richard Ingham said:

" Movements of fish into the UK and between its waters are strictly controlled for a reason - to protect species..."

 

[dave_m13]

Hi

Thanks I have sent e-mails to both now, so lets see what they say.

Dave

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

Let us know what they say

 

[andywg]

T1 gets rays from Holland, try dropping him a PM to see how he goes about it.

 

[Paul_MTS]

As far as I'm aware moving fish around in Europe requires no documentation.

 

[CFC]

The importation of tropical fish and plants requires nothing more than declaring what you have at customs and letting them take a look.
It is however a very different story with coldwater fish and plants which are heavily controlled and require license's and movement permits from DEFRA

 

[Jules H-T]

Here we go, some facts (edit, CFC got there first):

http/www.defra.gov.uk/fish/fishfarm/pdf/gifapp1.pdf

Tropicals you're OK provided they are intended to spend their entire life in an aquarium.

Coldwater you need documantation.

It's not clear to me whether warm water marine counts as warm water tropical or any other fish, but that's not the question here as I understand it.

 

[dave_m13]

Thanks for the information guys, this helps a lot if I ever decided bringing anything back with me.

Does anyone know if Tropical plants would be the same. Its the plants I am more interested in putting in my tank. Some really nice ones that I have seen so far.

Thanks
Dave

 

[andywg]

It's not clear to me whether warm water marine counts as warm water tropical or any other fish, but that's not the question here as I understand it.

Warm water marine and warm water tropical would almost certainly be the same for requirements (and could be the exact same fish). Tropical refers to temperature, not salinity. Warm water tropical actually means "warm water warm water". Marine is the opposite to Freshwater, not the opposite to Tropical. Most reef tanks are tropical marine tanks.

 

[i_ganjaman]

Very interesting lad's....And good enough for the carp smuggler, after a fast buck.......

 

[callum_parsons]

so what plants and fish u want want to bring to the uk

 

[dave_m13]

so what plants and fish u want want to bring to the uk

Not sure yet, fish I do not think I will bring any fish back just asking the question to see whether I could if I did see something different, such as the Pseudoepiplatys annulatus (Clown Killifish) that I have seen or some different plecs.

I am more interested in the plants, cannot really get decent plants at a decent price in UK, some places I can but means driving 30 mins to get them.

Here is the response I got from the Fish Fish Health Inspectorate at Cefas, basically you cannot bring in any fish that maybe able to live in our waters. Plants still do not know have to go to another dept.


Dear Mr Martin

Your enquiry has been forwarded to the Fish Health Inspectorate at Cefas Weymouth Laboratory for response. We are an executive agency of Defra responsible for controlling imports and exports of live fish and shellfish to and from Great Britain.

The movement of true tropical fish (species that will not survive in GB natural waters) between EU member states is classed as a 'free trade' item under EU law and does not require health certificates or pre-notification.

Please contact Defra Plant Health Division on 01904 455174 or planthealth.info@defra.gsi.gov.uk who will be able to advise you on plant import rules.

For petshop licensing please contact your local council who are responsible for monitoring and inspection of these premises.

If you require further assistance please contact this office directly 01305 206673/74/79.

Yours sincerely

Hayley Carlin (Miss)
Licensing Officer
Fish Health Inspectorate
Cefas
www.efishbusiness.co.uk