AUSTRALIA is to review its policy on the importation of certain species of ungutted finfish after finding the serious pathogen VHS in foreign-caught fish used in fish feed, reports JOHN SANDFORD.

VHS (viral haemorrhagic septicaemia - a significant disease of farmed salmonids and other farmed species such as turbot) was found in American pilchards - also known as Pacific sardines - and mackerel caught off the coast of Southern California.

The news was given in a recent policy memorandum published by Biosecurity Australia, part of the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Australia imports whole, rounded pilchards and mackerel from this region for use as fishing bait and for manufacturing aquaculture feed.

The isolation of the virus was not associated with clinical disease. The VHS virus is not present in Australia and quarantine measures are in place to prevent its introduction.

The finding of the virus has been published on the internet (www. fisheries. org /fhs/newsletter) and was also reported at a scientific meeting in North America.

VHS is listed as a notifiable disease in the OIE (World Animal Health Organisation) Aquatic Animal Health Code, and under the EU fish health legislation the disease is classified as a List II disease, meaning it is of significant economic impact but restricted to certain parts of the EU.

Because the risk of transmitting the disease is restricted to periods of low water temperature, Biosecurity Australia does not consider it is necessary to take immediate action, but has decided to review its finfish import policy in light of the new findings.

Conditions governing the importation of marine finfish into Australia are based on a risk analysis carried out in 1999 as part of the World Trade Organisation Canadian salmon case.

These cdistinguish between 'non-specified' and 'specified' species. 'Specified' species are those considered to pose a significantly higher risk of importing identified diseases into Australia.

The importation of 'specified' species is generally banned unless importers can convince Australian authorities that the disease risk can be managed to ensure safe end-use.

For example, herring is listed as 'specified' and importation of whole round herring into Australia has been generally banned except where the importer has convinced the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service that risk management measures can be used to ensure their safe end-use.

Pilchards and mackerel are presently placed in the lower risk 'non-specified' category, although an import licence and health certificate are required for importation.

Biosecurity Australia will continue to evaluate the data supporting the findings, but may be required to list pilchards and mackerel as 'specified' and adopt a similar approach to that of herring.

Because the fishing and aquaculture industries are highly dependant on such imported fish, any tightening of requirements may disrupt import arrangements from parts of the world where VHS virus is known to be present.

Aquaculture

VHS find leads to Oz import review