Status of sanitary control measures in French aquaculture

Abstract

Summary The French legislation on sanitary control measures in aquaculture follows closely the European ad hoc Directives (EEC 91–67, 93–54, 95–22) and Decisions (e.g. EC 92–532 and 96–240). The decree of December 1995 relates to notifiable diseases: salmon infection anaemia (SIA), viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) and infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN). The Departmental Order of April 1997 relates to the placing of aquaculture animals and products on the market. The import of living fish from third countries is ruled by Departmental Orders of June 1994. Because of the long standing historical efforts on sanitary conditions in aquaculture, a major part of the fish farming production is today realized in approved facilities (Decisions CE 95–125, 95–481, 97–227). On the request of the fish farmers' union, an epidemiological survey should be carried out in the nonapproved areas to derive future control measures. National or regional projects on medical or sanitary control have also been established for other significant fish diseases, particularly for infectious pancreatic necrosis, sleeping disease, viral encephalopathy and retinopathy, bacterial kidney disease. Vaccination is used against enteric redmouth disease and attempts are currently underway against furunculosis. An epidemiological survey on gyrodactylosis is under consideration, although no incidence in Atlantic salmon juveniles of Gyrodactylus salaris has ever been reported in France.