The Marine Institute is the Competent Authority* responsible for the implementation of the EU Animal Health Regulation 2016/429 in Ireland which lays down rules for the prevention and control of animal diseases which are transmissible to animals or humans.
Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and associated implementing regulations, replaced the regulatory framework provided by Directive 2006/88/EC in April 2021.
Irish National Legislation is currently being developed in support the EU Animal Health Regulation 2016/429.
In its role as the Competent Authority the Marine Institute carries out a number of functions including:
- Fish Health Approval of aquaculture establishments
- Co-ordination of the national fish health surveillance programme
- Registration of importers of ornamental fish
- Registration of specialist transporters of aquaculture animals
- Assessment and management of imports, exports and internal movements of live aquatic animals
*A Competent Authority is an organisation that has been legally delegated or invested authority, capacity, or power to perform a designated function