European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Aquaculture) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 410 of 2012).

These Regulations amend the Aquaculture (Licence Application) Regulations 1998 so as to give further effect in Irish law to Articles 2 to 4 of Directive No. 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment insofar as it applies to certain aquaculture licence applications. They amend regulation 3 by adding a definition of environmental impact assessment and by replacing the definition of environmental impact statement . They also add a new article 4A on an environmental impact assessment to be carried out by the Minister and an environmental impact statement to be submitted with an application for a licence. The Minister may require an applicant to submit further information. In the event that the Minister decides to grant a licence, then the Minister may attach such conditions to the grant as he or she considers necessary, to avoid, reduce and, if possible, offset the major adverse effects (if any) of the proposed aquaculture.