EcoMarines’ Laura Carlin shares her latest update from the OATA Board.   The post Update from our Chair appeared first on OATA - The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association ..read more

Importers are being asked to remind their overseas suppliers to use the most up-to-date health certificates to ensure consignments will not be stopped at the border. Businesses which bring in livestock are being warned by APHA that from April 30 if a consignment arrives with a version of the Health Certificate that is no longer accepted this will cause delays. Find all you need to know and links to the right paperwork to update suppliers with here. The post Are you using the right import health certificates? appeared first on OATA - The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association ..read more

Westminster’s Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs committee has published its final report following its Pet Abuse and Welfare inquiry. The parliamentary committee of MPs has come up with a number of recommendations that the Government will now need to consider and form a reply, including proposals aimed at improving local authority licensing. OATA was one of the organisations/individuals who submitted a response to the inquiry, something we do regularly to raise awareness about the issues that are relevant to our industry. And we would support the committee’s ideas on local authority licen ..read more

OATA has used its submission to a consultation on Susceptible and Vector Species to complain about the way Defra has handled proposed changes to the disease status of a number of popular aquarium fish. Defra has failed to follow Government Consultation Principles on timescales, or giving sufficient detail to enable an informed response or allowing consultation responses to inform policy. “Given that the consultation document states that the ‘expectation is that all the changes will come into effect on 31st May 2024’ then it seems it’s a done deal, regardless of any consultation responses. So w ..read more

OATA has welcomed Emily Maunder as its new Scientific Support Officer. Emily joins from Pets at Home, having previously worked in a number of independent aquatics retailers and a public aquarium before lecturing in Animal Welfare at Moulton College. She also has a first-class Master’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of Southampton. In her new role Emily will support OATA’s Scientific and Technical Advisor Dr Matthew Bond with analysis, research and evaluation on a diverse portfolio of issues affecting the industry, and support the delivery of the trade body’s City & Guilds-acc ..read more

Can you help share information to your customers about a research project into aquarium substrate? The University of West Scotland and Waltham Pet Care Centre are looking for tank owners to answer questions on the types of substrate used in home aquariums.The researchers want home aquarists to fill in this survey – and for UK hobbyists to consider sending a sample of their substrate. The study is looking to build a better understanding of the effects of substrate type on fish welfare so it would be great if we can all spread the message. If you can, please download and display this flyer or sh ..read more

The Government has announced a plan to widen the range of fish species identified as being a vector for, or susceptible to, notifiable diseases. It therefore plans to add more species to the GB susceptible and vector species (SVS) lists, including zebrafish (Danio rerio). The Government is asking for comments on its proposed new listing after adding a number of new species to disease listings. If a species is added to the GB SVS lists: Trade in that species may be subject to additional animal health restrictions. For example, an official inspector in the exporting country may need to certif ..read more

The UK Government is bringing in new requirements for imports of live animals (e.g. fish), plants and animal/plant products (eg fish food/live food/frozen food) on 31 January. That means all businesses, whether you’re an importer/consolidator or a retailer which sources directly from European-based businesses, need to get ready with the right paperwork. What you need to know: All imports need to be pre-notified on the IPAFFS system. From 31 January, these will now be categorised into low, medium and high risk, with each categorisation having different paperwork requirements. Anything categori ..read more

Retailers who sell pond plants are being advised to stop selling plants named as Gunnera manicata because of the likelihood that many plants under that name are the result of crossing with G.tinctoria, which is banned from sale. Under the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019 G. tinctoria cannot be sold. A recent research paper published by the Royal Horticultural Society asserts that all G.manicata in trade is either the cross between G.manicata and G.tinctoria, or misidentified G. tinctoria. Defra has confirmed that these hybrid plants should therefore not be sold. O ..read more

We have updated our Milfoil (Myriophyllum species) identification guide to reflect the new classification of Myriophyllum ‘Red Stem’ to Myriophyllum rubricaule. The Guide was first launched in 2022 during Invasive Species Week to help retailers identify the correct Myriophyllum species that can be sold. Two species are currently banned from sale: Myriophyllum aquaticum and Myriophyllum heterophyllum. However, these can sometimes be mislabelled so the guide outlines the idenfiers to look for to ensure the correct plants are being sold. At the time of the original launch, Myriophyllum ‘Red Stem ..read more