Before setting up a fish, molluscshellfish or crustacean farm (called an aquaculture production business (APB))(APB)) you must apply to the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) for authorisation.

Youauthorisation, mustas alsorequired applyunder ifThe youAquatic areAnimal settingHealth up(England aand molluscWales) purificationRegulations centre2009. orThis wantis to becomeprevent athe fishintroduction dealer.and spread of infectious diseases.

ThisShellfish isfarm requiredauthorisation underapplications Themay Aquaticrequire Animaladditional Healthdocuments (Englandto andbbe Wales)submitted Regulationsat 2009the toapplication preventstage, theplease introductioncheck andpage spread3 of infectiousthe diseases.AW1 application form.

How to apply for authorisation

1. Fill

   When inyou and submit the apply for authorisation forthe asteps fish,are:

   1. you molluscapply or crustacean farm form to the FHI. If you’re applying for authorisationAuthorisation for a mollusc farm, you will need to provideset additionalup documentsa withnew youraquaculture applicationproduction form.business
   2. The FHI will send you writtenreceive a confirmation email/letter with guidance on developing a biosecurity measures plan (BMP)(BMP). This will also tellexplain you if your application must undergo a statutory consultation with other government bodiesbodies, (thisplease note, this can take up to 90 days to complete).complete
   3. Anan authorisation officerinspection visit will arrangebe anarranged inspectionwhere visit.required
   4. Duringduring the inspection,inspection the inspector will review your draft BMP. They will alsobe advisereviewed youand advice given on statutory record keeping requirements and howuse toof usethe electronic record keeping system FHI Online, thewhich electronichas recordbeen keepingdeveloped system.by Cefas for authorised aquaculture production businesses in England and Wales
   5. Thea inspectorrecommendation will makebe amade recommendation to the authorisation officer following their inspection visit.

   TheOne recommendationof willthe eitherfollowing be:then happens:

   • authorisation is recommended
   • authorisation in principle –is recommended, the FHI will continue to work with youthe applicant until full authorisation is recommended
   • authorisation not recommendedrecommended, –reasons thewill FHIbe willgiven tellby youthe whyFHI

   Authorisation for a molluscpurification farm

   plant

   IfTo you’reset applyingup fora authorisationshellfish purification plant you need to:

   1. apply to FHI for Authorisation to set up a molluscnew farm,aquaculture youproduction mustbusiness. provide:
      Please see above for the process
      • evidencecontact your local authority to arrange approval of the rightfacilities to occupyprocess allshellfish landfor forminghuman partconsumption

   Rules offor purification centres are set by the authorisation,Food orStandards evidenceAgency).

   Authorisation offor aExporters

   To seabedbe lease

authorised as an exporter you need to:
1. valid

   apply planningto consent,the orFHI for export authorisation to be authorised as an officialexporter– notificationAUTEXP.

2. you fromwill theget relevanta localconfirmation authorityletter planningwith departmentguidance thaton planningdeveloping consenta isbiosecurity notmeasures requiredplan (BMP).

3. if

   upon thereceipt proposedof farmapplication, isan withininspector will arrange a site ofvisit specialwithin scientificapproximately interest7 (SSSI),working eitherdays.

4. the anvisiting officialinspector consentwill fromexplain Naturalthe Englandconditions orof aauthorisation notification that ayour consentsite iswill nothave requiredto meet and assess your draft BMP.

5. if

   the it’svisiting ainspector marinewill site,then eithermake a marinerecommendation licenceto or an officialauthorisation notificationofficer.

If ofthe exemptioninspector fromis satisfied that your plans comply with the Marineconditions Managementof Organisationauthorisation, (MMO) the following then happens:

• Theyou will be authorised and issued (or reissued if you are an already authorised under the FHI) willan notauthorisation becertificate ablefrom tothe processFHI, and your applicationsite withoutwill thesebe documents.

  Authorisationplaced forunder aour purificationrisk-based centre

  surveillance programme.

• Ifan you’reinspector applyingwill forarrange authorisation for a mollusccompliance purificationvisit centre,within you’ll4 alsoweeks need to contactassess yourwhether localyou authorityare formeeting approvalall tothe processconditions shellfishof authorisation for human consumption.exporters.

• Theif Foodyour Standardssite Agencyis setscomplying with the rulesconditions forof purificationauthorisation, centresthe visiting inspector with advise the authorisation officer that you can begin exporting following the Export Guidance.

Start

Export Authorisation can take up to 6 weeks.

If your application

is unsuccessful

If Startyour nowapplication

Contactis turned down the FishFHI Healthwill Inspectoratetell you the reasons why and will work with you to resolve problems. They’ll also tell you how you can appeal against their decision.

Contacts

Fish Health Inspectorate

Email: fhi@cefas.gov.uk

Telephone: 01305 206 700

Out of hours: 01305 206 630630.

Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4:30pm