Importing Aquatic Snails

I have been delving into the regulations etc for importing Aquatic snails. I said I'd get back to Linda & Daz so here is the conversation I had with CEFAS.

paul

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Hi,

I wonder if you could help me with a problem.

I spoke to Sandra Smith from DEFRA regarding the importation of invertebrates.

She confirmed that there are no special licenses, vet certificates orrestrictions for importing invertebrates for non-consumption, provided they are not listed as specially restricted for some reason. In particular, I had asked her about land snails but she said the rule applied to all invertebrates.

However, I have recently met someone who had once tried to import some apple snails and had received a letter from yourselves regarding possible fines due to lack of licences. Unfortunately, the link on the DEFRA website regarding importing aquatic invertebrates doesn't lead to any information regarding this.

I would be grateful if you could advise me on this matter.
Thanks
Paul King

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Dear Mr King

The Fish Health Inspectorate at CEFAS Weymouth is an agency of Defra, who is responsible for controlling imports from outside the EU and imports and exports within the EU of live fish and shellfish.

You have stated in your enquiry that you wish to import 'land snails', please provide a full scientific name and I will be able to give you a more defined answer as to whether you fall in to our control for the import or not.

Yours sincerely
Hayley Carlin
Administration Officer
Fish Health Inspectorate
CEFAS

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Hi Hayley,

Thank you for getting back to me.

DEFRA told me that is it ok to import the following genus of landsnails:

Achatina
Archachatina

I have checked DEFRA's website and the African species listed above are acceptable. Someone told me to check with you even though you deal with aquatic imports.

As for aquatic snails the species in question are:

Pomacea canaliculata
Pomacea bridgesii
Asolene Spixi
Marisa cornuarietis
Planorbinae Planorbini Planorbis

Do you have a comprehensive species list that I could look through myself?

Regards
Paul King

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Dear Mr King

I provided Ian Laing, our Senior Shellfish Health Inspector with the 5 x scientific names you provided of the aquatic snails you wish to import and he has confirmed that they are all classed as tropical species and therefore, to import these species from outside the EU you are required to hold a valid import licence, DOF 8T. The application form DOF 7 is available on our website www.efishbusiness.co.uk from the section forms and guidelines. Once the DOF 7 is received we guarantee to issue your import licence within 10 working days. Back with you import licence you will receive a DOF 15 (fish)/DOF 16 (shellfish) health certificates that must be completed by the competent authority for fish and shellfish health in the country of origin and travel with the consignment. At the first point of entry into the EU the consignment must be cleared through a Border Inspection Post, in the UK these are situated at Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, a CVED Notification Form will be provided for you to pre-notify them of the consignments arrival. Charges will be made for this service.

Please ensure that your chosen airline is licensed to carry live animals and that they travel as cargo.

Please let mw know if you require any further assistance.

Yours sincerely
Hayley Carlin (Miss)
Administration Officer
Fish Health Inspectorate
CEFAS