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Food Safety

Aquaculture establishments

What is an establishment?

An “establishment”, which includes an aquaculture establishment, is defined as follows in Article 4(27) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429:

“ any premises, structure, or, in the case of open air farming, any environment or place, where animals or germinal products are kept, on a temporary or permanent basis, except for:

  1. households where pet animals are kept;
  2. veterinary practices or clinics”

All aquaculture establishments must be either:

  • registered by the competent authority in accordance with Article 173 of Regulation (EU) 2016/429;
  • approved by the competent authority in accordance with Article 181(1) of the same Regulation; or
  • exempted from the requirement to be registered by the competent authority in accordance with Article 174 of that Regulation and in accordance with the rules set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2037

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/691 supplements the rules set out in Chapter I of Title II of Part IV of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 as regards aquaculture establishments, and in particular as regards the rules which apply to certain aquaculture establishments concerning risk-based surveillance, biosecurity measures and facilities and equipment. Further details concerning the application of risk-based surveillance in certain approved aquaculture establishments, are set out in Part I of Annex VI to Regulation (EU) 2020/689.

The public registers of aquaculture establishments, which have been approved by competent authorities in accordance with Article 181(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, are available via the following links:

EFTA states: