WRITTEN QUESTION E-2744/02

by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(30 September 2002)

Subject: Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis

Can the Commission indicate whether there have been any cases of Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis (IHN) within the EU and, if so, when and how many? What research has been carried out in relation to this disease? What measures are being taken against IHN, is it similar to ISA, and in what fish species does it occur?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2002)

The disease situation as regards IHN within the Community is variable, as IHN is endemic in certain parts and absent in other areas. Cases are regularly occurring in particular in Germany, France and Italy. During 2001, IHN was officially reported to the Commission from Germany (eleven cases), France (eight cases), Italy (seven cases) and Austria (one case).

Several projects and important research have been carried out in relation to IHN.

Projects, of which some have been financed or co-financed by Community funds, that can be mentioned are:

- epidemiological survey, in the early 1990s, to assess the rate of IHN infection in the Community (six Member States took part);

- experimental study of interaction between other fish viruses and IHN virus (IHNV);

- experimental study of the pathogenicity of different IHNV isolates for young rainbow trout;

- demonstration of the role of Salmo trutta as an asymptomatic carrier of the IHNV;

- standardisation of serological techniques in order to be able to detect antibodies against IHNV in farmed and wild fish.

Control measures to be taken against IHN, and other diseases included in list II of Annex A to Council Directive 91/67/EEC of 28 January 1991, concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products(1), are laid down in particular in Council Directive 93/53/EEC of 24 June 1993, introducing minimum Community measures for the control of certain fish diseases(2). In principle, this Directive imposes that in case of IHN being suspected or confirmed within any area of the Community, certain movement restrictions must be applied and investigations carried out. The legislation also gives tools for Community approval of programmes and status for zones and farms with regard to IHN. Specific requirements, as regards sampling, movements and eradication measures apply to such zones and farms.

The entire territory of Denmark, Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as well as several zones and farms in Germany, Spain, France and Italy have approved status for IHN(3). In other zones and farms, programmes with a view to achieve approved status are applied(4).

As regards infectious salmon anemia (ISA), it is included in list I of the above-mentioned annex. The rules applying to list I diseases are more stringent than those for list II diseases. Obligatory control measures that apply when ISA is suspected or confirmed throughout Europe are laid down in Directive 93/53/EEC.

The species listed in Directive 91/67/EEC as susceptible to IHN are salmonid species and Pike fry (Esox lucius).

(1) OJ L 46, 19.2.1991.

(2) OJ L 175, 19.7.1993.

(3) Commission Decision 2002/308/EC of 22 April 2002, OJ L 106, 23.4.2002.

(4) Commission Decision 2002/304/EC of 19 April 2002, OJ L 104, 20.4.2002.