The Prohibition of Keeping of Live Fish (Crayfish) Order 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order, which is made under section 1 of the Import of Live Fish (England and Wales) Act 1980 (“the Act”), and which comes into force on 29 May 1996, prohibits, subject to an exception, the keeping in England and Wales of any species of crayfish other than the native species, opotamobius pallipes except under authority of a licence granted by the Minister. There is an exception to the prohibition in respect of crayfish of the species stacus leniusculus(signal crayfish) which are kept within those parts of England and Wales which are described by reference to postal districts in the Schedule to the Order.

Section 3 of the Act provides that any person who keeps nonnative crayfish without a valid licence or who contravenes the terms of a licence shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

A compliance cost assessment has been prepared in relation to this Order and deposited in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Copies may be obtained from:

Salmon Whaling and Inland Fisheries Division Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Room 606, Nobel House 17 Smith Square London SW1P 3JR.