Aquaculture operations; application for approval or registration

'aquaculture' means the farming of aquatic animals for human consumption where the animals remain the property of a natural or legal person throughout their rearing or husbandry, including harvesting, with the exception of the harvesting or capture of wild aquatic animals which are subsequently kept temporarily without feeding until slaughter.

The following aquaculture businesses, among others, require approval from the competent veterinary office:

• aquaculture establishments from which aquatic animals are to be moved, either alive or as products of animal origin
• Other aquaculture operations that pose a significant risk
• Quarantine facilities
• Vector companies
• Aquaculture for ornamental purposes in open systems

The application for approval must contain the following information:

• Name and address of the entrepreneur
• Location and description of the company
• Species, category(ies) and quantity of animals kept on the holding
• Type of aquaculture operation
• Other relevant aspects, such as
• • Water supply
  • Inflow volume
  • Description of the measures taken to prevent the spread of diseases
  • If applicable, information on the treatment of waste water

Registration is mandatory for all other aquaculture businesses.

You must apply to the responsible Office for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (AELF) for the issue of a company number with the company type "fish farmer". Fish farmers who already have a 12-digit number, for example because they are also the operator of a farm or other livestock owner, must also register with the AELF and have the "fish farmer" farm type assigned to them. The application for approval or registration can only be submitted once this farm number has been assigned.

An aquaculture business must be approved or registered before commencing the respective activity.

• Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of March 9, 2016 on animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health ("Animal Health Law")
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/691 of 30 January 2020 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to rules for aquaculture production businesses and transporters of aquatic animals
• Fish Disease Ordinance