(1)

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 lays down rules concerning the obligation of operators to register aquaculture establishments, and record-keeping obligations of operators of aquaculture establishments and transporters of aquatic animals. In addition, that Regulation provides that the Commission may lay down implementing rules concerning the types of aquaculture establishments, which may be exempted by Member States from the requirement to be registered, because they pose an insignificant risk of spreading listed or emerging diseases, as well as implementing rules concerning the types of aquaculture establishments and transporters of aquatic animals that may be exempted by the Member States, from the requirement to keep certain types of records. Accordingly, it is appropriate to lay down such rules in this Regulation. Furthermore, as Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/691 (2) was adopted within the framework of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, and it lays down rules concerning aquatic animals, the definitions laid down in that Delegated Regulation should also apply for the purposes of this Regulation.

(2)

The definition of ‘establishment’ set out in Article 4, point (27) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 is broad, as is the definition of ‘aquaculture’ which is set out in point (6) of that Article. It is therefore appropriate, that the empowerment provided to the Commission by Article 175(2) of that Regulation, should be used to allow Member States to exempt certain types of aquaculture establishments that pose an insignificant risk, from the requirement to be registered by the competent authority.

(3)

Certain aquaculture establishments that are closed facilities or which do not discharge effluent directly into natural waters, present a low risk of contaminating open waters. When additional factors such as movements of aquatic animals to and from the aquaculture establishment and the species, categories, and quantity of animals kept there are taken into consideration, some of these aquaculture establishments may be considered to pose an insignificant risk of disease spread and may therefore be exempted by Member States, from the registration requirement.

(4)

Ornamental aquatic animals are often kept as pet animals in premises that are not households. Such premises are covered by the definition of ‘establishment’ as set out in Article 4, point (27) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429. Likewise, premises where aquaculture animals are kept for health care and other similar purposes, are covered by the definition of ‘establishment’. Aquaculture animals are also often kept on display in restaurants awaiting purchase for human consumption, and sometimes also in ponds or tanks in households, intended for human consumption. If such aquaculture establishments are closed facilities or do not discharge effluent directly into natural waters and do not move aquaculture animals, they pose an insignificant risk, and Member States should therefore, be permitted to exempt them from the registration requirement.

(5)

In certain cases, depending on the type of aquaculture facility in question, additional requirements should also be fulfilled in order to mitigate disease risks and make the exemption from registration possible. For example, retail stores that sell ornamental species to pet-keepers, or recreational facilities or households where aquaculture animals are kept outdoors in ponds or tanks as their final destination, should be supplied directly from an aquaculture establishment approved in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429, in order to be exempted by Member States, from the registration requirement.

(6)

Aquaculture establishments, which are comprised of net cages or other structures where previously wild aquatic animals are kept temporarily in natural waters, in the same epidemiological unit as the one in which they have been caught, whilst awaiting harvesting for human consumption, also pose an insignificant disease risk, and may be exempted by Member States, from the requirement to be registered.

(7)

Record-keeping is important for the traceability of aquaculture animals. In certain circumstances however, exemptions from the requirement for operators to keep such records may be granted when the risk associated with a particular type of aquaculture establishment is low. Aquaculture establishments registered in accordance with Article 173 of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, which do not move aquaculture animals to other aquaculture establishments or release them into the wild, present a lower level of risk than those which must be approved in accordance with Articles 176 or 177 of that Regulation. Such registered aquaculture establishments may therefore, be exempted by Member States from the requirement to keep certain records.

(8)

Transporters of certain categories of aquatic animals, that are transported in a biosecure manner may also be exempted by Member States from the requirement to keep certain records. The categories of aquatic animals and the details of the conditions under which they must be transported, as well as the records from which they are exempted, should be laid down in this Regulation.

(9)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,

(a)

the types of aquaculture establishments posing an insignificant risk that may be exempted by Member States from the registration requirement in accordance with Article 174 of Regulation (EU) 2016/429;

(b)

the types of aquaculture establishments and transporters posing a low risk for the spread of listed or emerging diseases that may be exempted by Member States from the record-keeping requirements provided for in Articles 186 and 188 of Regulation (EU) 2016/429.

(a)

aquaculture establishments that are closed facilities or which do not discharge effluent directly into natural waters, and do not move aquaculture animals to other aquaculture establishments or release them into the wild, and are one of the following types of aquaculture establishments:

(b)

aquaculture establishments which are comprised of net cages or other structures where previously wild aquatic animals are kept temporarily in natural waters, in the same epidemiological unit as the one in which they have been caught, whilst awaiting harvesting for human consumption.