These Regulations amend the Diseases of Fish (Control) Regulations 1994 (“the principal Regulations”) in implement of Council Directive 2000/27/EC (O.J. No. L 114, 13.5.2000, p.28. (“the Directive”) amending Council Directive 93/53/EEC (O.J. No. L 175, 19.7.1993, p.23.) introducing minimum Community measures for the control of certain fish diseases. The Directive amends Directive 93/53/EEC to provide for a scheme to be established in respect of the withdrawal of fish confirmed as having a disease referred to in Annex A, list I to Directive 91/67/EEC (O.J. No. L 46,19.2.1991, p.1.) and for authorisation to be given for the vaccination of fish against such disease . (The only disease referred to in that list is infectious salmon anaemia (ISA)).

These Regulations–

The provisions allowing fish on a farm which has been confirmed as having ISA to be withdrawn in accordance with the scheme apply from the date on which the scheme is approved by the Commission in accordance with procedure laid down in Article 19(2) of Directive 93/53/EC (regulation 9).

These Regulations also amend the principal Regulations to take account of the coming into force of the Fish Health Regulations 1997, which revoked the Fish Health Regulations 1992, (regulation 3) and the transfer of functions in the principal Regulations to Scottish Ministers by virtue of section 53 of the Scotland Act 1998 (regulation 4(a)(ii)).