Note: this list does not imply approval for any other purpose or reason other than export to the EU as negotiated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), nor does it replace any licencing or other requirements by any other federal, provincial, territorial or municipal governments. This list does not apply to establishments exporting for food/human consumption.
The European Union (EU) requires that anyone wishing to export live aquatic animals, their gametes or germplasm (fertilized eggs) for aquaculture, ornamental display, confinement, quarantine, relay or purification, ornamental aquaculture, release into the wild or intended for fishing bait to the EU be either registered or approved by the Competent Authority in the exporting country. In Canada, the CFIA is the Competent Authority for this purpose.
Registered establishments are aquaculture establishments licensed by provincial/territorial governments or Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada.
Approved establishments are aquaculture establishments/premises whose activities are not eligible for aquaculture licencing by DFO or provincial/territorial governments (such as premises keeping animals for ornamental and research use) but still wish to export to the EU.
Both registered and approved Canadian establishments must be evaluated and authorized by CFIA for export eligibility to EU. Upon successful evaluation, CFIA will include eligible establishments on the CFIA lists below. The EU criteria for establishment/premises approval include biosecurity plan, record-keeping, and facility/equipment disinfection protocols and possible surveillance/testing requirements. Please contact your local CFIA Office for more information on the evaluation of your establishment for export eligibility to EU.
CFIA-approved aquatic animal establishments eligible for export of live aquatic animals (non-food uses) to the EU
- Icy Waters Ltd. (Yukon)
Approval Number: AAH-EXP-001- aquaculture
- Northern Divine Aquafarms (British Columbia)
Approval Number: AAH-EXP-002- aquaculture
- Merinov (Quebec)
Approval Number: AAH-EXP-003- aquaculture
- Living Elements (British Columbia)
Approval Number: AAH-EXP-004- ornamental purposes
For more information on exporting to the EU for non-food purposes, please refer to certification requirements for the European Union