Fish Health is a prerequisite of all aquaculture operations. “Good conduct” by farmers, as laid down in the FEAP code and in the codes of many producer associations, is integral to fish farming operations as a way of promoting fish health and thereby avoiding disease. Disease control and basic hygiene are an obligatory aspect of all farming operations. Fish husbandry is now a well established and well developed in all parts of aquaculture such that the use of medicaments has been reduced to almost zero in many areas. The use of healthy and well balanced diets, vaccines and the implementation of sophisticated bio-security measures have all contributed to this.

Nevertheless, pathogens do sometimes become established in fish farms. Often their presence is no more than an addition to the natural fauna and flora of the water; pathogens do not necessarily cause disease. However if they do cause disease problems, simple bio-security or medication may solve the problem. Notwithstanding this sometimes some state control measures are also required. The European Community has decided that after approximately 10 years the Community's fish health legislation should be reviewed. DG SANCO, which now considers all veterinary issues, has invited representatives of the EU Aquaculture Advisory Committee to sit with representative state veterinary administrators to consider this.

The objective of the legislation is to facilitate free trade without the spread of disease. There has to be harmonisation with countries outside the Community with which member states trade, and the socio-economic objectives of aquaculture as a justifiable and sustainable method of food production must be maintained. These are well-established principles. Some restriction of trade is inevitable when diseases are controlled but this has to be as limited as possible.

Controls must encompass the basic prevention of disease transmission, eradication and/or control programs, and also the trade and movement restrictions on fish, fish products, equipment, and possibly personnel. Where pertinent, e.g. in eradication programs, legislation will have to take into account any financial support be it from Member States, the Commission, the insurance industry or from private funding. The legislation must also allow opportunities for international trading by allowing member states to demonstrate their disease free status. Official authentication by competent authorities is essential to ensure equivalence for exports and to facilitate trade.