Commission Decision 2006/656/EC laying down the animal health conditions and certification requirements for imports of fish for ornamental purpose.

The present Decision establishes harmonized animal health rules applicable to imports of ornamental fish into the Community. These provisions concern the following: (a) fish caught in the wild, imported for the purpose of being used as ornamental fish; (b) ornamental fish imported by transshippers and wholesalers; (c) ornamental fish imported into pet shops, garden centres, garden ponds, exhibition aquaria and similar businesses without direct contact with Community waters. Ornamental fish imported from third countries shall be subject to veterinary checks at the border inspection post in the Member State of arrival. With a view to preventing the contamination of natural waters, ornamental fish imported under this Decision shall not be released into fish farms or other premises from which they could escape into.