VNN–VER (Viral Nervous Necrosis - Viral Encephalopathy and Retinopathy) is a disease that is present worldwide in more than 20 fish species. The disease has affected European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) since 1995, causing considerable losses to the mariculture profession at that time, which initiated increased scientific effort and industry involvement. Since that time, the mariculture industry adopted stringent hygiene management (Ultra-violet and ozone treatment of the water intake, disinfection management practices etc.) and active screening of the hatchery operations, including the examination of broodstock fish and the fry produced). These efforts, combined with the use of better diagnostic techniques (Certification of each batch), have enabled the reduction of the number of outbreak incidents to the point where the disease is currently considered to be rare.
These considerable efforts have succeeded in decreasing the impact of vertical transmission of the disease. In farm cages containing species of wild fish, which could possibly act as “reservoirs” of the pathogen, management strategies have been developed to reduce horizontal transmission. These include the separation of fish generations and the late summer stocking of sea bass fry in the cages. Furthermore, replacing sea bass stocks with seabream, for a two-year period, in certain farms with a history of this disease has also proved to be a successful strategy for disease management.
RESOLUTION
(Mediterranean Aquaculture Commission)
The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers strongly opposes any position that considers elevating the importance of the VNN-VER disease within the review of the European Community’s veterinary legislation and its inclusion in any list for restriction, since it has been proven in practice that effective management measures exist that reduce vastly the impact of this disease.
The FEAP also realises that there is a lack of knowledge of the disease’s epidemiology and recognises the need for monitoring programmes that will provide the information required, without creating trade barriers. It is recommended that, due to special conditions in the Mediterranean and its mariculture industry, extra effort should be made by the Commission’s services for consultation with the industry before the transfer and application of epidemiological strategies that were designed initially for salmonid aquaculture.
RESOLUTION 3
TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE
(Environment Commission)
It is with great concern that the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers has observed the development of different activities that provide or could lead to, in the case of accident, increased levels of radioactive substances in the marine environment. Such activities, if continued, could lead to the destruction of marine ecosystems and the natural foundation for marine aquaculture and fisheries, either as a whole or on a regional basis.
The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers requests that the European Commission considers, as a matter of urgency, actions that will stop or reduce:
* The emission of radioactive substances into the marine and freshwater environment
* The transport of radioactive waste along the European coastline
Furthermore, the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers requests that the European Commission take special measures to ensure that all countries concerned by the OSPAR Convention and the North Sea Declaration speed up their work to fulfil the requirements of these agreements in respect of radioactive emissions.
RESOLUTION 4
USE OF ICE WATER AS A MEANS FOR THE HUMANE KILLING OF FARMED FISH
(Fish Health Commission)
The Mediterranean Commission of FEAP strongly opposes the efforts to substitute the use of ice water for the humane killing of farmed fish. This practice is the only one that is widely applied in the Mediterranean mariculture industry and which ensures the welfare of fish, the high quality of the final product and the consumer safety.
The participants of the Mediterranean Commission were presented with experimental data that have verified that, if the right ratio of ice/water/biomass is applied, within a few seconds there is a loss of reaction to external stimuli and the fish is rendered insensitive to any external factors.
These data, combined with others that are currently being examined, will be made available to the FEAP representatives that are assisting the deliberations of the proposed Convention on Fish Welfare. Although this initiative of the Council of Europe refers to the killing of sick fish and that another Convention will be prepared concerning the slaughter of farmed fish, the FEAP Mediterranean Commission has agreed that the use of ice water is humane, ensures the humane slaughter and welfare of the fish and this should be addressed and defended in all the relevant meetings.
RESOLUTION 5
COMPULSORY SLAUGHTER OF STOCKS
(Fish Health Commission)
The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers notes that, within the current review process of the European Community’s Fish Health Regulations, consideration is being given to the establishment of a class of diseases whose occurrence would result in a programme of disease eradication.
In circumstances where such a disease eradication programme would require the compulsory slaughter of live stocks, the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers urges the European Commission to ensure that the final European Legislation concerning fish health make the provision for financial compensation and that this be compulsory for the Member States. In implementing such legislation, the European Commission will thereby remove discrimination in respect of this issue throughout the European Community.
