Presidential Decree No. 28 establishing animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals, in compliance with European Union Directives Nos. 2006/88/EK and 2008/53/EK.

This Presidential Decree aligns the existing aquaculture legislative framework with European Union Directives Nos. 2006/88/EC Council and 2008/53/EC and provides for the issuing of a special veterinary authorization for the operation of all production farms of aquaculture animals. In line with the objectives of the aforementioned Directives, the Decree lays down: (a) the animal health requirements to be applied for the placing on the market, the importation and the transit of aquaculture animals and products thereof; (b) minimum preventive measures aimed at increasing the awareness and preparedness of the competent authorities, aquaculture production business operators and others related to this industry, for diseases in aquaculture animals; (c) minimum control measures to be applied in the event of a suspicion of, or an outbreak of certain diseases in aquatic animals. With a Decree issued by the Minister of Agricultural Development and Foodstuffs more stringent measures in the field covered by article 13, chapter II and V to this Decree may be taken to avoid spreading of diseases to aquaculture animals, provided that such measures do not affect trade with other Member States.