Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Following a visit from the Fish Health Inspectorate earlier this month - we are now an officially authorised Aquaculture Production Business ( APB).
All such set-ups have to inform the Fish Health Inspectorate and be inspected.
The following is an excert from our up to date training manual that we give to all of our students and might be helpful for UK APers
Legislation
The Aquatic Animal health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009
Under this piece of legislation which came into force in 2009, the EC Directive 2006/88/EC requires that all Aquaculture Production Businesses (APB) must be authorised by the competent authority which in our case is the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) based at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) in Weymouth.
The Regulations give CEFAS the discretion as to whether the aquaculture undertaking is registered or authorised, the latter being more stringently monitored. Application of the Regulations is the same whatever the classification and this requires that a written record to be kept of:
a) All movements of animals (fish as well as other aquaculture animals like prawns and crayfish), onto and from the premises and also where the animals are moved from different parts of the same premises.
b) Mortalities of animals
c) Mortalities in transit.
In addition APB’s must
1) participate in a risk based surveillance programme
2) Operate in accordance with documented biosecurity measures
3) Inform the FHI of any material changes in the business of fish farming practices
There are other measures that need to be taken into account such as having details of a fish vet to hand should some health problems arise and details of a fish professional who can offer advice on matters such as disease identification and bio security. Most vet practices have a knowledgeable fish vet and details of fish professionals are available from FHI. Details of any medicines prescribed should also be noted.
Whilst this may all seem very bureaucratic, there is a very good reason for it all as anyone researching the destruction of our wildlife by the irresponsible introduction of diseased and cannibalistic foreign species into our waterways will clearly see. The Fish Health Inspectorate are there to help and advise - so do not be afraid to contact them if any health aspect shown arise.
Some simple procedures can be taken that will help the small producer to comply with biosecurity. Obviously when buying in fish do so from a reputable fish dealer and, when they arrive, isolate the fish in a separate tank from the main tanks for a week or so to monitor for disease or sudden mortalities. Make sure there is a shallow footbath for visitors to tread on as they enter and leave the premises. Keep things like nets and buckets as clean and disinfected as possible and if possible have a net specifically allocated to each tank or pond so that diseases can be confined to one area. Ideally make a note of all visitors to the premises so that should a real problem arise then a chain of contacts can be established to track down the source of the disease.
Once you are registered, if it is required, then an Inspector will call to check the premises and offer help and advice if needed. Do not treat the visit with dread but an opportunity to speak to a knowledgeable individual who will have a wealth of experience. A cup of tea and a couple of biscuits will provide more information than reading a dozen books.

Congratulations guys - I have no doubt it represents a shipload of work to obtain full compliancy ! Well done.

Bored bureaucrats ?
I joked 20 years ago that one day they will ban wood as somebody may get a splinter!

Nice to see you made the effort to obtain compliance... it will make life easier for you in the long run...

Hot off the Press, "Licence now required to grow Radishes in the UK", politician heard to say he will keep repeating this until..............................................