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Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science gov.uk

Fish, mollusc or crustacean farm authorisation

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How to apply for authorisation to set up a fish, mollusc or crustacean farm, including the application process, conditions and records you must keep.

Before setting up a fish, mollusc or crustacean farm (called an aquaculture production business (APB)) you must apply to the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) for authorisation.

You must also apply if you are setting up a mollusc purification centre or want to become a fish dealer.

This is required under The Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious diseases.

A full list of regulatory requirements for new APBs can be found in the:

  • Fill in and submit the apply for authorisation for a fish, mollusc or crustacean farm (AW1) form to the FHI. If you’re applying for authorisation for a mollusc farm, you will need to provide additional documents with your application form.
  • The FHI will send you written confirmation with guidance on developing a biosecurity measures plan (BMP). This will also tell you if your application must undergo a statutory consultation with other government bodies (this can take up to 90 days to complete).
  • An authorisation officer will arrange an inspection visit.
  • During the inspection, the inspector will review your draft BMP. They will also advise you on statutory record keeping requirements and how to use FHI Online, the electronic record keeping system.
  • The inspector will make a recommendation to the authorisation officer following their inspection visit.
  • authorisation in principle – the FHI will continue to work with you until full authorisation is recommended
  • authorisation not recommended – the FHI will tell you why

    • If you’re applying for authorisation for a mollusc farm, you must provide:

  • evidence of the right to occupy all land forming part of the authorisation, or evidence of a seabed lease
  • valid planning consent, or an official notification from the relevant local authority planning department that planning consent is not required

    • This is an extract. The publication continues at the source.

    Read the original at the source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fish-shellfish-or-crustacean-farm-authorisation

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    Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science — imported from official source
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    https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/centre-for-environment-fisheries-and-aquaculture-science.atom ATOM
    Imported
    September 20, 2026 19:53
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    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fish-shellfish-or-crustacean-farm-authorisation#2026-04-27T...

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