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  1. Profile
    1. Basic legislation
    2. Legal definition
    3. Guidelines and codes of conduct
    4. International arrangements
  2. Planning
    1. Authorization system
    2. Access to land and water
    3. EIA
  3. Operation
    1. Water and wastewater
    2. Fish movement
    3. Disease control
    4. Drugs
    5. Feed
  4. Food safety
    1. Miscellaneous
      1. References
        1. Legislation
        2. Related resources
      2. Related links
        Profile
        Basic legislation
        The main authority in the field of fisheries and aquaculture is the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest Policies (Ministero delle Politiche Agricole e Forestali), Directorate-General for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Direzione Generale per la Pesca e l'Acquacoltura – PESC). The responsibilities of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti) in this matter are limited to the granting of concessions for the establishment of aquaculture facilities on maritime and inland State property, in particular via the Directorate-General for Maritime and Inland Navigation Infrastructures (Direzione Generale per le Infrastrutture della Navigazione Marittima e Interna), operating within the Department of Navigation and Maritime Transport (Dipartimento per la Navigazione e il Trasporto Marittimo e Aereo).

        In the context of the agricultural sector reform, initiated in 2001 as required by Law No.57 in 2001, Law No.154 of 2003 on the Modernization of the Fishery and Aquaculture Sector  establishes the so-called "Blue Table" (Tavolo Azzurro), in charge of outlining the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy. The "Blue Table", which is coordinated by the Minister of Agriculture and Forest Policies, is composed of the following institutional and social parties:
        • The regional councillors (assessori regionali e provinciali) for fisheries and aquaculture (including the provincial councillors of the autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano);
        • The presidents of the national associations of fishery cooperatives, fishery companies and aquaculture farms (such as AGCI PESCA, API, LEGAPESCA, FEDERCOOPESCA);
        • The secretary-general of national trade unions;
        • A representative of the Ministry of Environment and Land Protection.
        The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy is currently established by three-year plans that are specified every year in a short-term plan. The VI National Fisheries and Aquaculture Plan 2000–2002 (Ministerial Decree of May 25th, 2000) – that was extended to year 2003 – underscores the importance and diversification of aquaculture in Italy and stresses the need for it to grow according to the rules of the European Union. Three priorities are set forth:
        • Site identification (balance between productivity and environmental impact);
        • Products' quality (certification trademarks to acquire a satisfactory market position);
        • Positive environmental effects (such as the conservation of wetlands through valliculture (vallicoltura), an extensive fish farming method mainly used in the North-East of Italy).
        The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Plan for 2004 (Ministerial Decree of May 7th, 2004) stresses the necessity of increasing competitiveness, associations and pooling, environmental sustainability and products certification. Concerning the implementation of the above mentioned VI National Plan in the aquaculture sector, it is reported that the administrative powers concerning aquaculture management have been transferred to the Regional Authorities, while general guidance and coordination tasks are still performed by the Central Government, especially as regards the interaction with capture fisheries. In this concern, it is worth noting that Legislative Decree No.143 of 1997  (Decreto Legislativo 4 giugno 1997, No.143 – Conferimento alle Regioni delle Funzioni Amministrative in Materia di Agricoltura e Pesca e Riorganizzazione dell'Amministrazione Centrale) had already transferred to Regional Authorities most of the administrative functions related to agriculture and fisheries that were performed by the abolished Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forest Resources (Ministero delle Risorse Agricole, Alimentari e Forestali).

        From a constitutional point of view, fisheries and aquaculture, as well as agriculture in general, are considered as matters of regional legislative competence, whereas navigation, land management and environmental resources are topics of concurrent legislative competence, between Regions and Central Government. Consequently, State legislation ought to establish guidelines and basic principles only on the latter, while leaving the former to the regional autonomy. However, the recent reform process of the fisheries and aquaculture legislation is being carried out by the Central Government, as required by the Parliament with Law No.57 of 2001 on the Opening and Regulation of Markets  (Legge 5 marzo 2001, No.57 recante Disposizioni in Materia di Apertura e Regolazione dei Mercati) and Law No.38 of 2003 on Agriculture (Legge 7 marzo 2003, No.38 recante Disposizioni in Materia di Agricoltura). Although the 2001 Law only concerns the establishment of guidelines for the modernization of the sector, the 2003 Law goes further, delegating the Government to reorganize the whole matter "possibly" in a single Code on Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, within two years.

        As a result, with reference to the 2001 Law, the Government issued Legislative Decree No.226 of 2001 laying down Guidelines on the Modernization of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector (Decreto Legislativo 18 maggio 2001, No.226 – Orientamento e Modernizzazione del Settore della Pesca e dell'Acquacoltura, a norma dell'articolo 7 della Legge 5 marzo 2001, No.57) and Legislative Decree No.228 of 2001 laying down Guidelines on the Modernization of the Agricultural Sector, (Decreto Legislativo 18 maggio 2001, No.228 – Orientamento e Modernizzazione del Settore Agricolo, a norma dell'articolo 7 della Legge 5 marzo 2001, No.57).

        With regard to the 2003 Law, the Government issued Legislative Decree No.154 of 2004 on the Modernization of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector (Decreto Legislativo 26 maggio 2004, No.54   Modernizzazione del Settore Pesca e dell'Acquacoltura, a norma dell'articolo 1, comma 2, della legge 7 marzo 2003, No.38) and Legislative Decree No.153 of 2004 on Marine Fisheries (Decreto Legislativo 26 maggio 2004, No.154 – Attuazione della Legge 7 marzo 2003, No.38, in Materia di Pesca Marittima), which also amend certain provisions of the previous set of Legislative Decrees.

        One of the main changes made by the above mentioned legislation concern the definition of rural entrepreneur, which also include side activities (attività connesse) of the entrepreneur, such as the processing, conservation and trade of fish products, as well as the associations and consortia of rural entrepreneurs. Aquaculture farmers and fishery entrepreneurs are considered as rural entrepreneurs as explained in the next paragraph. This approach follows the path set by the Common Agriculture Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy of the EU. Concerning the latter, a reform is currently underway, which should draw the attention on three main aspects of aquaculture: employment, products quality and animal health, and environment.

        Lastly, it is worth mentioning that, Italy may become the leading country in Europe for the development of organic aquaculture. Indeed, two draft laws, aiming to establish a national quality trademark, a system of certification authorities and control regulations, are currently being discussed in Parliament. The first draft law S.2483  (Disciplina dell' Acquacoltura Biologica – S.2483) was proposed on September 17th, 2003, whereas the second one C.5217  (Norme in Materia di Acquacoltura Biologica – C.5217) was presented on July 31st, 2004.

        At Community level, organic agriculture is regulated by Council Regulation (EEC) No.2092/91 of 24 June 1991 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs and Council Regulation (EC) No.1804/1999 of 19 July 1999 supplementing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 to include livestock production, which do not apply to aquaculture production and products. In fact, harmonization is not feasible until States actually develop national legislation on the matter, as required by the "Whereas" clauses of the 1999 Regulation.
        Legal definition
        Aquaculture is defined in Law No.102 of 1992 on Aquaculture (Legge No.102 – Norme concernenti l'Attività di Acquacoltura) (as amended by Law No.122 of 2001) as the activity aiming at the production of animal proteins in an aquatic environment, through the partial or total, direct or indirect control of the development cycle of aquatic organisms («per attività di acquacoltura si intende l'insieme delle pratiche volte alla produzione di proteine animali in ambiente acquatico mediante il controllo, parziale o totale, diretto o indiretto, del ciclo di sviluppo degli organismi acquatici»), thus apparently excluding aquatic plant farming.

        The Law further considers aquaculture as a rural entrepreneurship when its yield is higher than that produced by other commercial activities carried out by the same person («[l]'attività di acquacoltura è considerata a tutti gli effetti attività imprenditoriale agricola quando i redditi che ne derivano sono prevalenti rispetto a quelli di altre attività economiche non agricole svolte dallo stesso soggetto»). This provision subjects aquaculture farmers to the legislation on rural entrepreneurship. Indeed, the Law provides that natural or legal persons, individuals or associations, conducting aquaculture and carrying out connected capture activities in fresh or brackish and marine waters  are rural entrepreneurs, as defined in section 2135 of the Civil Code («[s]ono imprenditori agricoli, ai sensi dell'articolo 2135 del codice civile, i soggetti, persone fisiche o giuridiche, singoli o associati, che esercitano l'acquacoltura e le connesse attività di prelievo sia in acque dolci sia in acque salmastre e marine»).

        Similarly, Legislative Decree No.226 of 2001 on the Modernization of the Fishery and Aquaculture Sector, as amended by Legislative Decree No.154 of 2004, gives a definition of fishery entrepreneur which includes him in the category of rural entrepreneur.

        One of the most striking differences between commercial and rural entrepreneurs is that the latter is exempt from bankruptcy. However, due to a substantial enlargement of the category, consistent with the European integrated vision of agriculture that now includes activities from the secondary or tertiary sectors (attività connesse), this rule will very likely be amended  .

        For the sake of completeness, it is worth reporting the sections of the Italian Civil Code defining the categories of ordinary and rural entrepreneurship:
        • Section 2082 states that an entrepreneur is that who professionally carries out an organized commercial activity, aiming at producing and exchanging goods or services («[è] imprenditore chi esercita professionalmente un'attività economica organizzata al fine della produzione o dello scambio di beni o di servizi»).
        • Section 2135, as amended by Legislative Decree No.228 of 2001, provides that a rural entrepreneur is that who carries out one of the following activities: land cultivation, forestry, animal breeding and connected activities. Land cultivation, forestry and animal breeding are activities aiming at the development of a biological cycle or a necessary phase thereof, with regard to animals or plants, that use or may use land, forests or fresh, brackish or marine waters. («È imprenditore agricolo chi esercita una delle seguenti attività: coltivazione del fondo, selvicoltura, allevamento di animali e attività connesse. Per coltivazione del fondo, per selvicoltura e per allevamento di animali si intendono le attivita' dirette alla cura ed allo sviluppo di un ciclo biologico o di una fase necessaria del ciclo stesso, di carattere vegetale o animale, che utilizzano o possono utilizzare il fondo, il bosco o le acque dolci, salmastre o marine. (...)»). This definition breaks the traditional bond between agriculture and land use.
        At Community level a definition of aquaculture is given in Council Regulation (EC) No.2792/1999 laying down the Detailed Rules and Arrangements regarding Community Structural Assistance in the Fisheries Sector: «'aquaculture' means the rearing or culture of aquatic organisms using techniques designed to increase the production of the organisms in question beyond the natural capacity of the environment; the organisms remain the property of a natural or legal person throughout the rearing or culture stage, up to and including harvesting».
        Guidelines and codes of conduct
        The Italian Agency for Environmental Protection (Agenzia Nazionale per la Protezione dell’Ambiente – ANPA) and the Central Institute for Scientific and Technological Research Applied to the Sea (Istituto Centrale per la Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica Applicata al Mare – ICRAM) drafted in 2001 the guidelines for the application of the EMAS Regulation (Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No.761/2001 allowing Voluntary Participation by Organisations in a Community Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) to the aquaculture sector.

        As reported in Commission Communication establishing a Strategy for the Sustainable Development of European Aquaculture (COM (2002) 511), «[r]egistration in the scheme requires an organisation to adopt an environmental policy containing commitments both to achieve continuous improvements in environmental performance and to comply with all relevant environmental legislation».

        In addition, the Italian aquaculture sector is organized in several professional associations and cooperatives, putting forth the interests of aquaculture farmers in the political debate. The most important organizations at national level are:
        • AGCI PESCA – Associazione Generale Cooperative Italiane della Pesca.
        • API – Associazione Piscicoltori Italiani.
        • FEDERCOOPESCA – Federazione Nazionale Cooperative della Pesca.
        • LEGAPESCA – Associazione Nazionale delle Cooperative di Pesca.
        Among the above-mentioned associations, only API is a party to FEAP (Federation of European Aquaculture Producers). API has adopted a Code of Good Farming Practice in Aquaculture (Codice di Buona Pratica d'Allevamento in Acquacoltura), in line with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and with the FEAP Code of Conduct for European Aquaculture. The code mainly tackles the following topics:
        • Health and hygiene of farms;
        • Eco-compatibility of aquaculture;
        • Food and food safety;
        • Traceability.
        International arrangements
        Italy is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and a founding member of the European Union.

        Italy is also a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and has ratified both the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Biosafety Protocol.

        It is worth noting that Italy and the EU are both parties to the Barcelona Convention of 1976 for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean. Although it does not explicitly cover aquaculture, said Convention is likely to allow the development of regulatory instruments, through the adoption of a Code of Conduct or the definition of Best Environmental Practices.
        Planning
        Authorization system
        At national level, the authorization system for the conduct of fisheries and off-shore aquaculture is regulated by Legislative Decree No.153 of 2004 on Marine Fisheries, which has repealed (together with Legislative Decree No.154 of 2004 on the Modernization of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector) the Maritime Fisheries Law of 1965  (Legge 14 luglio 1965, No. 963, concernente la Disciplina della Pesca Marittima). Transitionally, the Regulation of 1968 (Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 2 ottobre 1968, No.1639, recante il Regolamento per l'esecuzione della Legge 14 luglio 1965, n. 963, concernente la Disciplina della Pesca Marittima) is still in force. Moreover, a concession is required for the use of the maritime State property (demanio marittimo) and public inland waters, and for the construction of aquaculture facilities thereon (see paragraph on access to land and water, below). Additional permits and authorizations that are required at regional and local level, creating a bureaucratic trap, exceed the scope of the present study.

        The Maritime Fisheries Law used to regulate maritime fisheries, including aquaculture, as stated in section 10 of the Regulation, where aquaculture is considered as professional fisheries. («Impianti di pesca: Pesca professionale è anche quella esercitata mediante lo stabilimento di apprestamenti fissi o mobili, temporanei o permanenti, destinati alla cattura di specie migratorie, alla pescicoltura e alla molluschicoltura ed allo sfruttamento di banchi sottomarini».) It seems therefore legitimate to still consider aquaculture as professional fisheries under the new law, at least until specific provisions are issued for aquaculture.

        Thus, the procedures to obtain an authorization for the conduct of aquaculture accrue from the rules established for fishing. In particular, the Law provides that any person engaging in aquaculture – i.e. intending to establish an aquaculture plant (impianto di pesca) – is subject to registration in section 1 of the register of maritime fishermen (registro dei pescatori marittimi), and in section 5 of the register of fishery companies (imprese di pesca), both held by the Port Captainry (Capitaneria di Porto)  where the person or company resides. Only professional fishermen that are registered at least in level 3 of the sea people roll (matricole della gente di mare)  , kept by the same port administration, may be entered in the register of maritime fishermen, as aquaculture farmers.

        Additionally, the Law requires a fishing permit (permesso di pesca) for the operation of vessels or aquaculture facilities, to be granted by the authority where the vessel or facility is registered. Indeed, prior to the application, vessels and other floating facilities (navi e galleggianti) must be registered with the competent office of the marittime compartment (uffici di compartimento marittimo) or with other authorities as established by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport (Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti), and must be respectively qualified for navigation through the granting of a nationality document (atto di nazionalità) or a licence (licenza di navigazione).

        Applications for the fishing permit must include the following:
        1. Identification of applicant and company, including the Port Captainry where the vessel is registered;
        2. Identification and category of the fishing vessel;
        3. Category and type of fisheries activity;
        4. Category, type and features of the fishing gear;
        5. Features of the refrigeration and processing systems for fish products;
        6. Description of the crew and gear of the vessel (tabella di armamento).
        It is worth reporting that Royal Decree No.1604 of 1931 approving the Consolidated Text of the Fisheries Legislation  (Regio Decreto 8 ottobre 1931, No.1604 – Approvazione del Testo Unico delle Leggi sulla Pesca) provides that a fishing licence is not required for the following subjects:
        • Personnel of the Central Laboratory for Hydrobiology applied to Fisheries and of establishments performing artificial insemination of aquatic species;
        • Employees working within the facilities of an aquaculture farm;
        • Employees of rice field aquaculture farms.
        The capture of live fish and shellfish spat for rearing purposes is regulated by Ministerial Decree of 22 March, 1991. Applications are due before November 30th every year and must be addressed to the Directorate General for Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest Policies. Moreover, the granting of authorizations is subject to the presentation of relevant licences or concessions, depending on the species to be farmed.
        Access to land and water
        Access to public waters (off-shore facilities)  or public land adjacent to the sea or to inland waters (on-shore facilities) for the establishment of fisheries-related activities and for the construction of facilities is mainly regulated by the Navigation Code of 1942  (Codice della Navigazione – R.D. 30 marzo 1942, No.327) and its Regulations of 1949 and 1952  (Regolamento per la Navigazione Interna – D.P.R. 28 giugno 1949, No.631 and Regolamento di Esecuzione del Codice della Navigazione – D.P.R. 15 febbraio 1952, No.328), as amended. The competent authorities for these matters are the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti) and its decentralized bodies.

        In particular, access to the maritime State property (demanio marittimo) – which includes coasts, beaches, ports, lagoons, estuaries, brackish waters connected to the sea and public maritime canals – is managed by the maritime State administration (Direzioni Marittime, Compartimenti and Circondari), while access to inland waterbodies, especially to areas around ports serving inland navigation (zone portuali della navigazione interna), is managed by the inland waters State administration (Direzione Compartimentale della motorizzazione civile e dei trasporti in concessione, Ispettorati di Porto and Delegazioni di Approdo). In areas where no port authority (Ispettorato di Porto) is established, the Minister of Transport may confer the administration of inland navigation to the local Municipal Authority (Autorità Comunale).

        State property concessions (concessioni demaniali) concerning the above mentioned areas for over 15 years are granted by decree of the Minister of Transport, whereas those not exceeding four years and not implying the construction of permanent or semi-permanent facilities (impianti di difficile sgombero) are issued by licence of the Chief of the Maritime Compartment (Capo del Compartimento Marittimo) – or of the Compartment Director (Direttore Compartimentale) for inland waters. Concessions lasting more than four years but less than 15, or less than four years, implying the construction of permanent or semi-permanent facilities, must be approved by decree of the Maritime Director (Direttore Marittimo) – or by the Chief of the Port Authority (Capo dell’Ispettorato di Porto) for inland waters. Maritime Compartments shall keep track of concessions granted in the area under their jurisdiction, in an ad hoc register. The annual concession fees (canoni) are established by the law.

        According to the Regulation, applications, which must declare the intended use and duration of the concession, are to be lodged with the Chief of the competent Maritime Compartment. The following documentation shall be provided (exceptions can be made for licence applications):
        • Technical report on the construction works;
        • Map of the concession area;
        • Construction plan;
        • Other certificates proving any right claimed by the applicant.
        The granting of the concession is subject to the opinion of the Civil Engineering Body (Genio Civile), the Finance Authority (Intendenza di Finanza) and the Customs Authority (Autorità Doganale).

        Applications concerning major projects must be published in the town hall and might not be processed before the deadline for the presentation of comments by opponents. Oppositions are decided by the Minister of Transport.

        Concessions shall contain the following information:
        • Location, extent and border of the concession area;
        • Purpose and duration of the concession;
        • Kind, shape, size and structure of the construction works and deadline for completion;
        • Type of concession and periods of suspension of activity, where appropriate;
        • Concession fee, frequency and deadlines for payment of rates;
        • Cautionary deposit;
        • Terms and conditions of the concession;
        • Residence of the concession holder.
        State property concessions concerning off-shore facilities to be set up near the customs line or in the territorial sea may only be issued if the construction of the facilities has been previously authorized according to art.19 of Legislative Decree No.374 of 1990 (as amended) reforming Customs Rules and Procedures(Decreto Legislativo 8 novembre 1990, No.374, in materia di Riordino degli Istituti Doganali e Revisione delle Procedure di Accertamento). The competent authority for the granting of such authorization is the Director of the Customs District (Direttore della Circoscrizione Doganale) responsible for the concerned area. Unfortunately, a copy of the law could not be obtained.

        Concerning inland water areas where no Port Authority is established, for the management of which the Minister of Transport has empowered the local Municipal Authority, other kinds of authorizations may be required.

        At local level, the establishment of on-shore facilities generally requires a construction concession (concessione edilizia), to be issued by the concerned Municipal Authority. Establishing an aquaculture farm in a State property area is hence subject to both the State property and the local construction concessions. In the region of Tuscany, which has among the most complex procedures for the granting of construction concessions, aquaculture facilities are considered as rural constructions (annessi agricoli), and concessions must be consistent with the regional and municipal land management plans (piani regolatori e urbanistici)  .

        Lastly, Royal Decree No.1604 of 1931 approving the Consolidated Text of the Fisheries Legislation empowers the Provincial Authority to grant concessions for the setting up of aquaculture facilities in areas surrounding public freshwater bodies, where the commercially valuable fish population is scarce or absent. Moreover, the conduct of aquaculture in rice field areas is subject to an annual authorization to be issued by the competent Provincial Authority. Unfortunately, a copy of Ministerial Decree of December 7th, 1957 regulating the Conduct of Aquaculture in Rice Field Areas (Decreto Ministeriale 7 dicembre 1957 recante la Disciplina per l'Esercizio dell'Industria della Piscicoltura Agricola nelle Zone di Risaia) could not be obtained.

        Access to water is regulated by Law No.36 on Water Resources, 1994 (Legge Galli – Legge 5 gennaio 1994, No.36 recante Disposizioni in Materia di Risorse Idriche). The Law enacts a deep reform of water supply and sewerage services. The integrated water supply service is organized in Optimal Territorial Areas (Ambiti Territoriali Ottimali), to be identified by Regional Authorities according to geographical, demographic and administrative parameters, with a view to preserving river basins unity. The actual service is managed by Provincial and Municipal Authorities and may be provided by private entities. Charges for the use of water are determined by Local Authorities, according to the rules established by the Central Government. Concerning aquaculture, the Law provides for the annual water fee that shall be updated on a three-year basis.

        Unfortunately, a copy of Ministerial Decree of January 14th, 1949 on the Concession of Public Waters for Aquaculture Purposes (Decreto Ministeriale 14 gennaio 1949 sulle Concessioni di Acque Pubbliche a Scopo di Piscicoltura) could not be obtained.
        EIA
        Italy lacks a systematic legislative framework for Environmental Impact Assessment, in particular with regard to Council Directive (EEC) No.337/1985 on the Assessment of the Effects of Certain Public and Private Projects on the Environment, which has only partially been implemented. Three draft laws have been proposed in 2001 by different political parties for this purpose (C. 445 of June, 4th; S. 198 of June, 12th; S. 602 of August, 3rd   – Disciplina della Valutazione dell' Impatto Ambientale – VIA), but none has been reviewed yet. It is worth noting that, according to the Directive, Member States are free to decide whether aquaculture projects are subject to an EIA.

        Hence, the main piece of legislation concerning this matter is Law No.349 of 1986 establishing the Ministry of Environment and regulating Environmental Damage  (Legge 8 luglio 1986 n. 349 – Istituzione del Ministero dell'Ambiente e Norme in materia di Danno Ambientale), which provides for transitional procedural rules for the assessment of projects that are likely to significantly affect the environment. These shall be identified by Decree of the President of the Republic, upon proposition of the Ministry of Environment. The competent authority for the assessment at national level is the Ministry of Environment (Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio), Directorate-General for Environmental Protection (Direzione Generale per la Salvaguardia Ambientale). However, the procedure requires the opinion of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities (Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali) and of the concerned Regional Authority.

        Moreover, Law No.67 of 1988  (Legge Finanziaria 11 marzo 1988, No.67) establishes an EIA Commission (Commissione VIA) with advisory and investigative functions, operating within the Service for Environmental Impact Assessment (Servizio Valutazione dell’Impatto Ambientale) of the Ministry.

        Under the terms of Directive (EEC) No.337/1985, which allows Member States to designate the competent authority or authorities as responsible for the EIA process, the assessment of certain categories of projects may be carried out by Regional Authorities. By establishing guidelines for the regulation of EIA procedures by Regional Authorities, Decree of the President of the Republic of 12 April, 1996 has substantially implemented the Directive and made it applicable within said guidelines. Concerning aquaculture, the Decree provides that only projects of farms over 5 ha to be established, totally or partially, in a protected area are subject to EIA. However, projects to be developed outside protected areas are subject to a verification procedure, in order to determine whether an assessment is actually needed. Applications must be filed with the competent Regional Authority, jointly with a copy of the project and an environmental impact study. The latter shall provide at least the following information:
        • Project description;
        • Potential effects on the environment;
        • Applicable environmental and land use provisions;
        • Mitigation and repair measures.
        Regional Authorities must identify the offices where the documentation is made available to the public. Measures for public review must be taken accordingly.

        Regarding the environmental impact of plans and programmes (not policies), which are likely to have significant effects on the environment, European Parliament and Council Directive (EC) No.42/2001 on the Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment provides for a specific procedure named Strategic Environmental Assessment (Valutazione Ambientale Strategica) in the Italian terminology. Fisheries and aquaculture plans and programmes are subject to the procedure. The directive has not yet been implemented in Italy.
        Operation
        Water and wastewater
        The main piece of legislation governing surface, marine and groundwater quality and wastewater discharge is Legislative Decree No.152 concerning the Protection of Waters against Pollution (1999, as amended in 2000)  , implementing several EU Directives, among which the following are particularly relevant to aquaculture: Council Directive (EEC) No.659/1978 on the Quality of Fresh Waters needing Protection or Improvement in order to Support Fish Life and Council Directive (EEC) No.923/79 on the Quality required of Shellfish Waters  (79/923/EEC). Parliament and Council Directive (EC) 2000/60 establishing a Framework for Community Action in the Field of Water Policy is still to be formally implemented in Italy. However, Legislative Decree No.152 of 1999 anticipates some of its provisions.

        The Decree sets minimum environmental quality objectives for main waterbodies, and quality objectives for waterbodies intended for specific purposes, including fish and molluscs life, to be met by 2016. In particular, it provides for the quality parameters and the methods of analysis concerning freshwaters for fish and coastal and brackish waters for shellfish. Deadlines are established for Regional Authorities to identify and classify waterbodies under their jurisdiction, according to the water quality classification defined in the Decree. This implies the identification of natural and artificial waterbodies suitable for fish and shellfish farming and those needing treatment to match the standards.

        In order to meet the quality objectives set forth by the Decree and those more specifically identified by national and inter-regional Basin Authorities, Regional Authorities shall prepare a Water Protection Plan, as a part of the Basin Plan to be adopted under the terms of Law No.183 regulating the Organization and Management of Land Protection  (Legge 18 maggio 1989, No.183 – Norme per il Riassetto Organizzativo e Funzionale della Difesa del Suolo) (1989, as amended). Water Protection plans must include:
        • Results of the investigation carried out for the drafting of the plan;
        • Identification of environmental quality objectives and quality objectives for specific purposes;
        • List of waterbodies intended for specific purposes and areas requiring specific pollution prevention and improvement;
        • Qualitative and quantitative protection measures for each basin;
        • Schedule for the application of measures and priorities;
        • Efficiency control programme;
        • Reclamation of waterbodies.
        The Decree regulates the discharge of wastewater according to the effluents source and to the type of receiving waters, in line with the quality objectives of each waterbody. Regional Authorities may set higher standards than those established by the Decree. Rules established for domestic effluents are also applicable to wastewater originated from small aquaculture plants (fish density below one kilogramme per square meter of water surface; water use below 50 litres per second). Specific rules to limit the environmental impact of aquaculture shall be issued by Decree of the Ministry of Environment.

        Wastewater discharge and treatment in general is also mentioned by Law No.36 on Water Resources (1994), which provides that the owners of plants lacking a centralized treatment system are charged for the public sewerage and treatment service. Rates are generally determined according to the volume of water provided to the user, except for industrial plants that are charged in proportion to the quality and quantity of wastewater discharged. No specific provision is made with regard to aquaculture.
        Fish movement
        Fish movement within the country and within the EU, and the import of fish from third countries are mainly regulated by four decrees:Decree of the President of the Republic No.555 of 1992 sets the health and certification requirements for the transport and trade of live animals (fish, crustaceans and molluscs) originating from aquaculture farms or intended for rearing in aquaculture farms. Within the EU, live animals must be produced in approved zones or in approved farms operating in non-approved zones. The identification of approved zones and approved farms, made by the Ministry of Health, must be communicated to the European Commission with the supporting documentation. Fish movement is regulated accordingly. In particular, the list of approved fish farms in Italy, located in a non-approved zone as regards IHN (Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis) and VHS (Viral Haemorraghic Septicaemia), is established in Commission Decision (EC) No.357/1998  .

        Under the terms of Legislative Decree No.530 of 1992, the movement within the country of live shellfish intended for direct human consumption, originating from national or Community producers, requires the indication on a health stamp (bollo sanitario) of the following information:
        • Country of origin;
        • Shellfish species, including Italian and scientific name;
        • Identification number of the purification and processing centres (centri di depurazione e stabulazione), issued by the competent authority of the country of origin;
        • Date of packaging;
        • “Best before” date or mention: «shellfish must be live on purchase date».
        In addition, the stamp must provide the information generally requested for food labelling by Legislative Decree No.109 of 1992 on the Labelling, Packaging and Advertising of Food Products (Decreto Legislativo 27 gennaio 1992, No.109 – Attuazione delle Direttive No.89/395/CEE e No.89/396/CEE concernenti l'Etichettatura, la Presentazione e la Pubblicità dei Prodotti Alimentari). Community produced shellfish not showing a health stamp is seized and destroyed at the recipient's expenses.

        At Community level, the import of aquaculture animals and products from third countries (as stated by Decree of the President of the Republic No.555 of 1992) is only authorized from countries listed in Commission Decision (EC) No.296/1997, as amended  . The list shall be published in the Italian Official Gazette by the Ministry of Health. Moreover, the EU has recently published Commission Decision (EC) No.858/2003 laying down the animal health conditions and certification requirements for imports of live fish, their eggs and gametes intended for farming, and live fish of aquaculture origin and products thereof intended for human consumption.

        Legislative Decree No.530 of 1992 provides that the import of live shellfish from third countries is only allowed for the marine areas included in the list drafted and updated by the Ministry of Health (Ministero della Salute) and published in Ministerial Decree February 11th, 1987 as regularly amended  . The Decree must contain the list of authorized countries; the specific import conditions for each country; the list of authorized aquaculture farms. To be included in the list, countries must provide the Ministry with the documentation attesting that the marine areas where shellfish is produced meet the Italian health standards, as established in the Regulation to the Legislative Decree No.530 of 1992.

        Furthermore, Italian companies willing to import live shellfish produced in the above mentioned marine areas must be authorized to do so by the Ministry of Health. Applications must provide the following:
        • Documentation proving the availability of purification and processing centres, including a laboratory for health inspections;
        • Certificate of registration with the competent Chamber of Commerce.
        Lastly, the provisions established by Legislative Decree No.530 of 1992 concerning the application of national rules to veterinary checks on products imported from third countries are repealed by Legislative Decree No.80 of 2000 implementing Directives No.97/78/EC and No.97/79/EC on the Organization of Veterinary Checks on Products entering the Community from Third Countries. Said products, including live or fresh fish and shellfish, must undergo the necessary documentary checks and health tests to be carried out by border laboratories. A certificate is then issued by the official veterinary doctor. In particular, live or fresh fish products originating from third countries are subject to Council Regulation (EC) No.1093/1994 setting the terms under which Fishing Vessels of a Third Country may Land Directly and Market their Catches at Community Ports  . As provided by Decree of the President of the Republic No.555 of 1992, Legislative Decree No.93 of 1993 (as amended by Legislative Decree No.80 of 2000), implementing Directives (EEC) No.90/675/CEE and No. 91/496/CEE on veterinary checks on products and animals originating from third countries and introduced into the European Community, is applicable to aquaculture animals and products.
        Disease control
        This matter is regulated by Decree of the President of the Republic No.263 of 1997 on Minimum Community Measures against certain Fish Diseases, implementing Directive (EC) No.53/1993 – as amended by Decree of the President of the Republic No.425 of 2001, implementing Directive (EC) No.27/2000 – and by Decree of the President of the Republic No.395 of 1998 establishing Minimum Measures against some Bivalve Mollusc Diseases, implementing Directive (EC) No.70/1995.

        Both decrees make reference to the fish diseases listed in Annex A to the above mentioned Decree of the President of the Republic No.555 of 1992 (hereinafter referred to as Annex A).

        Decree of the President of the Republic No.263 of 1997 provides that fish farms breeding species that are sensitive to any of the diseases mentioned in list I or II of Annex A must be registered with the official veterinary service and keep record of all the live fish, eggs and gametes entering or leaving the farm and of the ascertained mortality.

        Decree of the President of the Republic No.263 of 1997 provides that fish farms breeding species that are sensitive to any of the diseases mentioned in list I or II of Annex A must be registered with the official veterinary service and keep record of all the live fish, eggs and gametes entering or leaving the farm and of the ascertained mortality.

        The suspicion or knowledge of a disease outbreak concerning any of the above mentioned diseases must be immediately reported to the official veterinary service, following the procedures defined in Decree of the President of the Republic No.320 of 1954 establishing the Regulation on Animal Health (Regolamento di Polizia Veterinaria). Upon report of the suspicion of a disease outbreak, prevention measures are taken to avoid further spreading of the disease, such as:
        • Official census of all species and categories of fish, including the number of dead, infected or suspected specimens;
        • Disposal of dead specimens;
        • Epizootologic investigation (including the presence of the disease before it was reported; the possible origin of the disease and the identification of other farms raising sensitive species; and the possible vectors of the disease);
        • Necessary authorization to enter and leave the farm for persons, fish, feed, tools or other objects;
        • Official surveillance on all farms in the concerned area.
        After official confirmation of the disease outbreak, cleaning, disinfection and disposal measures are taken according to Legislative Decree No.508 of 1992, implementing Council Directive (EEC) No.667/1990, making Sanitary Provisions for the Disposal, Processing and Placing on the Market of Waste of Animal Origin and for the Protection against Pathogenic Agents of Feedstuffs of Animal Origin or Fish-Based Feedstuffs and amending Directive (EEC) No.425/1990.

        Decree of the President of the Republic No.263 of 1997 gives a list of the official national and Community laboratories for fish diseases in order to allow cooperation for the diagnosis and tests.

        Decree of the President of the Republic No.395 of 1998 establishes similar procedures for the detection and eradication of shellfish diseases. In this case, the first measures taken upon report of a disease outbreak are the following:
        • Taking of samples to be tested in an official laboratory;
        • Necessary authorization to transport specimens outside the farm area.
        Only after the required tests have confirmed the presence of the disease, an epizootologic investigation is performed.
        Drugs
        The use of chemicals and veterinary drugs in general, including in aquaculture, is mainly regulated at Community level by several directives and regulations, and in particular, by Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2377/1990 laying down a Community Procedure for the Establishment of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of Veterinary Medicinal Products in Foodstuffs of Animal Origin. This Regulation provides the lists of drugs for which a final or temporary MRL has been determined (Annexes I and III) and the lists of drugs that do not require an MRL either because they are not toxic for human health or because their use is forbidden (Annexes II and IV). To include a new veterinary drug in the MRL list, pharmaceutical companies must file an application with the Commission, providing the relevant documentation to allow the Committee on Veterinary Medicinal Products to assess the marketing of the concerned product. The actual use of approved drugs is then subject to national regulations.

        At national level, Italy has implemented the EU legislation on veterinary drugs with frequent amendments to Legislative Decree No.119 of 1992 implementing Directives No.81/851/CEE, No.81/852/CEE, No.87/20/CEE and No.90/676/CEE on Veterinary Drugs. The marketing of veterinary drugs by pharmaceutical companies must be authorized by the Ministry of Health or by the European Commission, according to the procedures established by Council Regulation (EEC) No.2309/1993 laying down Community Procedures for the Authorization and Supervision of Medicinal Products for Human and Veterinary Use and establishing a European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products. Authorizations can only be issued for those drugs containing active substances that have already been authorized by the Ministry of Health or are included in Annexes I, II and III of Regulation (EEC) No. 2377/1990.
        Feed
        At both national and Community level, this matter is regulated by a multitude of regulations. However, the core system is held by Law No.281 of 1963 regulating the Preparation of and Trade in Animal Feeds, recurrently amended, and Legislative Decree No.149 of 2004 implementing Directives 2001/102/EC, 2002/32/EC, 2003/57/EC and 2003/100/EC concerning Undesirable Substances and Products in Animal Feed.

        Law No.281 of 1963, which is explicitly applicable to fish feed, regulates four main types of animal feed and the correspondent authorization procedure for their production:
        • Simple vegetable-based feeds (mangimi semplici di origine vegetale): no authorization required;
        • Simple animal-based feeds (mangimi semplici di origine animale): authorization issued by the Prefect of the concerned Province;
        • Compound feeds (mangimi composti): authorization granted by the Ministry of Productive Activities (Ministero delle Attività Produttive), in concert with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest Policies and the Ministry of Health;
        • Feed supplements (integratori per mangimi): authorization granted by the Ministry of Health, in concert with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest Policies and the Ministry of Productive Activities.
        The Law further details the information to be displayed on the packaging of each type of feed.

        The composition of animal feed is regulated by Legislative Decree No.149 of 2004, which establishes the maximum level of undesirable substances in any kind of feedstuff, including dioxins levels in fish feed. The competent authority for the matter is the Ministry of Health.
        Food safety
        In Italy, the basic health provisions, including food and beverages, are established by Royal Decree No.1265 of 1934, as amended  (Regio Decreto 27 luglio 1934, No.1265 recante il Testo Unico delle Leggi Sanitarie). Unfortunately, a copy of this law could not be obtained. Food safety and health checks on food processing and packaging are covered, from a closer perspective, by Legislative Decree No.155 of 1997, implementing Directives No.93/43/EEC and No.96/3/EEC on Food Hygiene. These texts do not make specific provisions on fish products.

        The main piece of legislation regulating the labelling and packaging of food products, including fish products, is Legislative Decree No.109 of 1992, as amended, implementing EEC Directives 89/395/CEE and 89/396/CEE concerning the Labelling, Packaging and Advertising of Foodstuffs. A generic “fish” label is required when fish is an ingredient of other food products, unless the name or presentation of the product refers to a specific fish species. Furthermore, with specific regard to fish products, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest Policies has issued Decree of 27 March, 2002 concerning the Labelling of Fishery and Aquaculture Products as well as Control Systems, which provides for additional labelling and packaging information, in line with EU Regulations No.2065/2001 and No.2031/2001.

        In retail trade, fish products' labels must now indicate:
        • Commercial name in Italian, according to the official list of aquatic species having commercial interest attached to the Decree;
        • Production method;
        • Capture area.
        Additionally, the following information must be provided on the label, on the package or on a separate commercial document, at all commercialization stages:
        1. Commercial name in Italian, according to the official list of aquatic species having commercial interest attached to the Decree;
        2. Scientific name of the species;
        3. Production method;
        4. Capture area.
        Circular No.21329 of 2002, issued by the Minister of Health, clarifies the provisions of the Decree and the EU Regulations it implements.

        With specific regard to fish products, the Ministry of Health has also enacted two Decrees establishing the sampling and testing methods concerning biotoxins and mercury in fish products and shellfish:It is worth reminding that, Council Regulation (EC) No.2375/2001 amending Commission Regulation (EC) No.466/2001 setting Maximum Levels for Certain Contaminants in Foodstuffs, introduces maximum levels for dioxins in fish products.
        Miscellaneous
        Aquaculture investment 
        Aquaculture investment receives financial support from the European Union, especially through capital grant contributions within the framework of structural funds. The FIFG – Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (SFOP – Strumento Finanziario di Orientamento della Pesca) 2000–2006 operates under the co-financing principle and is regulated by Council Regulation (EC) No.2792/1999 laying down the Detailed Rules and Arrangements regarding Community Structural Assistance in the Fisheries Sector.

        The Regulation provides that Member States may take measures to encourage capital investment in aquaculture and in the processing of aquaculture products and further states that, in general, financial assistance from the FIFG may be granted only for projects which:
        • Contribute to lasting economic benefits from the structural improvement;
        • Offer an adequate guarantee of technical and economic viability;
        • Avoid counterproductive effects, particularly the risk of creating surplus production capacity.
        With regard to aquaculture, investments in works concerning the installation or improvement of water circulation shall be eligible.

        Applications must be lodged with the Directorate General for Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest Policies.

        In Italy, Ministerial Circular No.2003 of 2003 implementing article 15 of Regulation (EC) No.2792/1999 and articles 1 and 2 of Regulation (EC) No.2318/2001 to encourage the creation and recognition of Producers Organizations in order to obtain financial aids from the FIFG.

        During the Council of Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries held on July 19th, 2004 in Bruxelles, the European Commission proposed the adoption of a European Fisheries Fund (EEF) that would replace the FIFG for 2007–2013 and would give priority to small aquaculture farms.

        Development/restoration fund
        As required by Law No.38 of 2003, Legislative Decree No.154 of 2004  creates the National Solidarity Fund for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Fondo di Solidarietà Nazionale della Pesca e dell’Acquacoltura) for the backing of fisheries and aquaculture companies affected by natural disasters or exceptional marine and meteorological conditions. The fund is managed by the Directorate General for Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest Policies.
        References
        Legislation
        ITALY
        Draft Law C.445 regulating Environmental Impact Assessment (2001) (Progetto di legge C.445 – Disciplina della Valutazione dell'Impatto Ambientale)
        Draft Law S.198 regulating Environmental Impact Assessment (Progetto di legge S.198 – Disciplina della Valutazione dell'Impatto Ambientale) (2001)
        Draft Law S.602 regulating Environmental Impact Assessment (Progetto di legge S.602 – Disciplina della Valutazione dell'Impatto Ambientale) (2001)
        Draft Law S.2483 on Organic Aquaculture (2003) (Progetto di legge S.2483 – Disciplina dell' Acquacoltura Biologica – S.2483)
        Draft Law C.5217 on Organic Aquaculture (2004) (Progetto di legge C.5217 – Norme in Materia di Acquacoltura Biologica – C.5217)
        Decree of the President of the Republic No.320 establishing the Regulation on Animal Health (1954) (Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 8 febbraio 1954, No.320 – Regolamento di Polizia Veterinaria)
        Decree of the President of the Republic No.555 establishing Animal Health Rules for Aquaculture Products (1992, as amended)(D.P.R. 30 dicembre 1992, n. 555 – Regolamento per l'Attuazione della Direttiva 91/67/CEE che stabilisce Norme di Polizia Sanitaria per i Prodotti di Acquacoltura)
        Decree of the President of the Republic No.263 on Minimum Community Measures against certain Fish Diseases (1997, as amended) (D.P.R. 3 luglio 1997, No.263 – Regolamento di attuazione della Direttiva 93/53/CEE recante Misure Comunitarie Minime di Lotta contro talune Malattie dei Pesci)
        Decree of the President of the Republic No.395 establishing Minimum Measures against some Bivalve Mollusc Diseases (1998, as amended) (D.P.R. 20 ottobre 1998, n. 395 – Regolamento recante Norme di Attuazione della Direttiva 95/70/CE in materia di Misure Minime di Lotta contro talune Malattie dei Molluschi Bivalvi)
        Law No.281 regulating the Preparation of and Trade in Animal Feeds (1963, as amended)(Legge 15 febbraio 1963, No.281 – Disciplina della Preparazione e del Commercio dei Mangimi)
        Law No.349 establishing the Ministry of Environment and regulating Environmental Damage (1986) (Legge 8 luglio 1986 n. 349 – Istituzione del Ministero dell'Ambiente e Norme in materia di Danno Ambientale)
        Decree of the President of the Republic of 12 April 1996 establishing Criteria for the Implementation of Article 40, paragraph 1, of Act of 22 February 1994, No.146 on the Environmental Impact Assessment (D.P.R. 12 aprile 1996 – Atto di indirizzo e coordinamento per l'attuazione dell'art. 40, comma 1, della L. 22 febbraio 1994, n. 146 (2), concernente disposizioni in materia di valutazione di impatto ambientale)
        Financial Law – Law No.67 regulating the Preparation of the Annual and Multi-year State Budget (1988) (Legge Finanziaria – Legge 11 marzo 1988, No.67 – Disposizioni per la Formazione del Bilancio Annuale e Pluriennale dello Stato)
        Law No. 36 on Water Resources, 1994 (Legge Galli – Legge 5 gennaio 1994, n. 36 recante Disposizioni in Materia di Risorse Idriche)
        Law No.183 regulating the Organization and Management of Land Protection (1989, as amended) (Legge 18 maggio 1989, No.183 – Norme per il Riassetto Organizzativo e Funzionale della Difesa del Suolo)
        Law No.102 on Aquaculture Law No.102 on Aquaculture (1992)(Legge No.102 – Norme concernenti l'Attività di Acquacoltura)
        Law No.57 on the Opening and Regulation of Markets (2001)(Legge 5 marzo 2001, No.57 recante Disposizioni in Materia di Apertura e Regolazione dei Mercati)
        Legislative Decree No.226 of 2001 laying down Guidelines on the Modernization of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector (Decreto Legislativo 18 maggio 2001, No.226 – Orientamento e Modernizzazione del Settore della Pesca e dell'Acquacoltura, a norma dell'articolo 7 della Legge 5 marzo 2001, No.57)
        Legislative Decree No.228 of 2001 laying down Guidelines on the Modernization of the Agricultural Sector (Decreto Legislativo 18 maggio 2001, No.228 – Orientamento e Modernizzazione del Settore Agricolo, a norma dell'articolo 7 della Legge 5 marzo 2001, No.57)
        Law No.38 on Agriculture Law No.38 on Agriculture (2003)(Legge 7 marzo 2003, No.38 recante Disposizioni in Materia di Agricoltura)
        Legislative Decree No.154 on the Modernization of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector (2004)(Decreto Legislativo 26 maggio 2004, No.54 – Modernizzazione del Settore Pesca e dell'Acquacoltura, a norma dell'articolo 1, comma 2, della legge 7 marzo 2003, No.38)
        Legislative Decree No.153 of 2004 on Marine Fisheries (2004)(Decreto Legislativo 26 maggio 2004, No.154 – Attuazione della legge 7 marzo 2003, n. 38, in Materia di Pesca Marittima)
        Legislative Decree No.374 reforming Customs Rules and Procedures (Decreto Legislativo 8 novembre 1990, No.374, in materia di Riordino degli Istituti Doganali e Revisione delle Procedure di Accertamento) (1990, as amended) (text not available)
        Legislative Decree No.530 on Health Provisions concerning the Production and Trade of Live Bivalve Molluscs (1992)(Decreto Legislativo 30 dicembre 1992, No.530 – Attuazione della direttiva 91/492/CEE che stabilisce le norme sanitarie applicabili alla produzione e commercializzazione dei molluschi bivalvi vivi)
        Legislative Decree No.109 on the Labelling, Packaging and Advertising of Food Products (1992, as amended) (Decreto Legislativo 27 gennaio 1992, No.109 – Attuazione delle direttive 89/395/CEE e 89/396 CEE concernenti l'Etichettatura, la Presentazione e la Pubblicità dei Prodotti Alimentari)
        Ministerial Decree of 27 March, 2002 concerning the Labelling of Fishery and Aquaculture Products as well as Control Systems (2002)(Decreto Ministeriale 27 Marzo 2002 – Etichettatura dei Prodotti Ittici e Sistema di Controllo)
        Ministerial Circular No.21329 laying down Clarifications for the Interpretation of Commission Regulation 2065/2001/EC and of Ministerial Decree of 27 March 2002 (2002) (Circolare 27 maggio 2002, n.1329 recante chiarimenti sull’applicazione del Regolamento (CE) No.2065/2001 della Commissione, recante modalita' di applicazione del Regolamento (CE) No.104/2000, relativamente all'informazione ai consumatori nel settore dei prodotti della pesca e dell'acquacoltura e sull’applicazione del Decreto Ministeriale 27 marzo 2002)
        Legislative Decree No.119 implementing Directives No.81/851/CEE, No.81/852/CEE, No.87/20/CEE and No.90/676/CEE on Veterinary Drugs (1992, as amended)(Decreto Legislativo 27 gennaio 1992, No.119 - Attuazione delle Direttive No.81/852/CEE, No.87/20/CEE e No.90/676/CEE relative ai Medicinali Veterinari)
        Legislative Decree No.508 implementing Council Directive (EEC) No.667/1990, making sanitary provisions for the disposal, processing and placing on the market of waste of animal origin and for the protection against pathogenic agents of feedstuffs of animal origin or fish-based feedstuffs and amending Directive (EEC) No.425/1990 (1992)(Decreto Legislativo 14 dicembre 1992, No.508 – Attuazione della Direttiva 90/667/CEE del Consiglio del 27 novembre 1990, che stabilisce le norme sanitarie per l'eliminazione, la trasformazione e l'immissione sul mercato di rifiuti di origine animale e la protezione dagli agenti patogeni degli alimenti per animali di origine animale o a base di pesce e che modifica la direttiva 90/425/CEE)
        Legislative Decree No.93 on Veterinary Checks on Products and Animals originating from Third Countries and Introduced into the European Community (1993) (Decreto Legislativo 3 marzo 1993, No.93 – Attuazione delle Direttive 90/675/CEE e 91/496/CEE relative all'Organizzazione dei Controlli Veterinari su Prodotti e Animali in Provenienza da Paesi Terzi e Introdotti nella Comunità Europea)
        Legislative Decree No.143 on the Transfer to Regional Authorities of the Administrative Functions concerning Agriculture and Fisheries, and on the Riorganization of the Central Administration (1997) (Decreto Legislativo 4 giugno 1997, No.143 – Conferimento alle Regioni delle Funzioni Amministrative in Materia di Agricoltura e Pesca e Riorganizzazione dell'Amministrazione Centrale)
        Legislative Decree No.155 implementing Directives No.93/43/EEC and No.96/3/EEC on Food Hygiene (1997)(Decreto Legislativo 26 maggio 1997, No.155   Attuazione delle Direttive 93/43/CEE e 96/3/CE concernenti l'Igiene dei Prodotti Alimentari)
        Legislative Decree No. 152 concerning the Protection of Waters from Pollution (1999, as amended in 2000) (Decreto Legislativo 11 maggio 1999, n. 152, recante Disposizioni sulla Tutela delle Acque dall'Inquinamento e Recepimento della Direttiva 91/271/CEE concernente il Trattamento delle Acque Reflue Urbane e della Direttiva 91/676/CEE relativa alla Protezione delle Acque dall'Inquinamento Provocato dai Nitrati Provenienti da Fonti Agricole)
        Legislative Decree No.80 implementing Directives 97/78/EC and 97/79/EC on the Organization of Veterinary Checks on Products entering the Community from Third Countries (Decreto Legislativo 25 febbraio 2000, No.80 – Attuazione delle Direttive 97/78/CE e 97/79/CE in materia di Organizzazione dei Controlli Veterinari sui Prodotti provenienti da Paesi Terzi) (2000)
        Legislative Decree No.149 concerning Undesirable Substances and Products in Animal Feed (Decreto Legislativo 10 Maggio 2004, No.149 – Attuazione delle Direttive 2001/102/CE, 2002/32/CE, 2003/57/CE e 2003/100/CE, relative alle Sostanze ed ai Prodotti Indesiderabili nell'Alimentazione degli Animali) (2004)
        Ministerial Circular No.2003 implementing article 15 of Regulation (EC) No.2792/1999 and articles 1 and 2 of Regulation (EC) No.2318/2001 (Circolare Ministeriale 20 maggio 2003, No.2003 – Applicazione della normativa CE in materia di OO.PP. e Associazioni di OO.PP., art. 15 del Regolamento CE n. 2792/1999 e articoli 1 e 2, Regolamento CE n. 2318/2001) (2003)
        Ministerial Decree of 22 March, 1991 concerning provisions in matter of live spat for rearing and repopulation purposes (Decreto Ministeriale 22 marzo 1991 – Disposizioni in materia di novellame allo stato vivo destinato agli allevamenti ed ai ripopolamenti) (1991)
        Ministerial Decree of 9 December, 1993 concerning methods of analysis, sampling plans and levels of mercury to be observed in the fish products (Decreto Ministeriale 9 dicembre 1993 – Metodi di Analisi, Piani di Campionamento e Livelli da Rispettare per il Mercurio nei Prodotti della Pesca) (1993)
        Ministerial Decree on the Restructuring of Fisheries and Aquaculture Cooperatives (1998)(Decreto Ministeriale 10 febbraio 1998 concernente la Ristrutturazione delle Cooperative di Pesca e Acquacoltura)
        Ministerial Decree adopting the VI National Plan for Fisheries and Aquaculture 2000–2002 (2000) (Decreto Ministeriale 25 maggio 2000 recante l’Adozione del VI Piano Nazionale della pesca e dell’acquacoltura 2000–2002)
        Ministerial Decree establishing the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Plan for 2004 (Decreto Ministeriale 7 maggio 2004 recante il Piano Nazionale della Pesca e dell’Acquacoltura per l’Anno 2004) (2004)
        Navigation Code (1942, as amended) (Codice della Navigazione – Regio Decreto 30 marzo 1942, No.327)
        Regulation on Inland Navigation (1949) (Regolamento per la Navigazione Interna – Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 28 giugno 1949, No.631)
        Regulation implementing the Navigation Code (1952, as amended) (Regolamento di Esecuzione del Codice della Navigazione – Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 15 febbraio 1952, No.328)
        Regulation to the Maritime Fisheries Law No.963 of 1965 (Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 2 ottobre 1968, No.1639, recante il Regolamento per l'esecuzione della Legge 14 luglio 1965, No.963, concernente la Disciplina della Pesca Marittima) (1968, as amended)
        Royal Decree No.1604 approving the Consolidated Text of the Fisheries Legislation (Regio Decreto 8 ottobre 1931, No.1604 – Approvazione del Testo Unico delle Leggi sulla Pesca) (1931)
        Ministerial Decree of January 14th, 1949 on the Concession of Public Waters for Aquaculture Purposes (Decreto Ministeriale 14 gennaio 1949 sulle Concessioni di Acque Pubbliche a Scopo di Piscicoltura) (1949) (in Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 148, 1 luglio 1949) (text not available)
        Ministerial Decree of December 7th, 1957 regulating the conduct of Aquaculture in Rice Field Areas (Decreto Ministeriale 7 dicembre 1957 recante la Disciplina per l'Esercizio dell'Industria della Piscicoltura Agricola nelle Zone di Risaia) (1957) (in Gazzetta Ufficiale, No.308, 13 dicembre 1957) (text not available)
        Royal Decree No.1265 approving the Consolidated Text of Health Legislation (Regio Decreto 27 luglio 1934, No.1265 recante il Testo Unico delle Leggi Sanitarie) (1934, as amended) (text not available)
        Tuscany – Regional Law No.33, establishing Rules for the Development of Aquaculture and Fish Production (Toscana – Legge Regionale 20 marzo 2000 No.33 Norme per lo Sviluppo dell’Acquacoltura e della Produzione Ittica) (2000)
        Tuscany – Regional Law No.64 regulating Construction Works in Rural Areas (Toscana – Legge Regionale 14 aprile 1995 No.64 Disciplina degli Interventi di Trasformazione Urbanistica ed Edilizia nelle Zone con Prevalente Funzione Agricola) (1995)

        EUROPE
        Related resources

        faolexSearch parameters: country=ITA, Keywords=aquaculture;mariculture
        Records Returned: 65
        Title of textDate of textConsolidated dateEntry into forceCountries
        Decree on the computerized management of annual programmes on plant production, animal production, aquaculture, importation and preparation of organic products.2012-08-09Italy
        Decree of the President of the Regional Executive No. 1 laying down new provisions pursuant to article 9, paragraph 3 of Regional Act No. 37 of 2006, which concerns the protection of aquatic animals and ecosystems and regulating fishing in the Piemonte waters2012-01-10Italy
        Regional Regulation No. 1 implementing Regional Act No. 37 of 2006.2012-01-10Italy
        Legislative Decree No. 4 rearranging the national legislation on fisheries and aquaculture.2012-01-09Italy
        Decree implementing Regulation (EC) No. 710/2009 amending Regulation (EC) No. 889/2008 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007, as regards laying down detailed rules on organic aquaculture animal and seaweed production.2010-07-30Italy
        Regional Regulation No. 3 implementing Regional Act No. 4 of 2009 as regards the granting of subsidies for fisheries and aquaculture, in accordance with European Union legislation on State aid.2010-05-10Italy
        Regional Act No. 15 laying down provisions for the protection of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems and regulating professional fishing, sport fishing and aquaculture.2008-10-22Italy
        Regional Act No. 4 on sustainable development of commercial fishing and aquaculture.2008-03-19Italy
        Decree of the President of the Region No. 289 regulating the issue of concessions for bivalve molluscs breeding in the Marano-Grado Lagoon.2006-09-27Italy
        Regional Act No. 3 on fisheries.2006-04-14Italy
        Regional Act No. 31 on bivalve molluscs breeding in the Marano-Grado Lagoon.2005-12-16Italy
        Regional Act No. 66 making provision on marine fisheries and regulating interventions to promote marine fisheries and aquaculture.2005-12-07Italy
        Presidential Decree No. 12 implementing Regional Act No. 33 on interventions in the fishery sector.2005-09-30Italy
        Legislative Decree No. 100 laying down further provisions on the modernization of the fishery and aquaculture sector and the enhancement of surveillance on fishing activities.2005-05-27Italy
        Regional Act No. 7 amending and supplementing Regional Act No. 23 of 1996 on regional interventions for the promotion and the improvement of marine fisheries and mariculture.2005-02-22Italy
        Regional Act No. 14 regulating professional fishing and aquaculture.2005-02-22Italy
        Regional Act No. 14 making provision on commercial fishing and aquaculture.2005-02-22Italy
        Legislative Decree No. 154 on the modernization of the fishery and aquaculture sector as per article 1, paragraph 2 of Act No. 38 of 7 March 2003.2004-05-26Italy
        Regional Act No. 11 making provision on marine fisheries and aquaculture.2004-05-13Italy
        Ministerial Decree laying down the National Plan on Fisheries and Aquaculture for 2004.2004-05-07Italy
        Decree of the President of the Region No. 350 laying down the regulation concerning the criteria and modalities for implementing interventions intended to enhance biotechnological research in the field of acquaculture in brackish waters.2003-10-06Italy
        Ministerial Circular No. 2003 implementing article 15 of Regulation (EC) No. 2792/1999 and articles 1 and 2 of Regulation (EC) No. 2318/20012003-05-20Italy
        Ministerial Circular No. 21329 laying down clarifications for the interpretation of Commission Regulation 2065/2001/EC and of Ministerial Decree of 27 March 2002.2002-05-27Italy
        Regional Regulation No. 5 on inland fisheries.2001-11-12Italy
        Regional Act No. 12 laying down provisions on the improvement and protection of fish population and regarding fishing in internal waters of the Lombardia Region.2001-07-30Italy
        Legislative Decree No. 226 laying down guidelines and modernizing the fishery and aquaculture sector, in accordance with article 7 of Act No. 57 of 2001.2001-05-18The Legislative Decree has entered into force on 1 July 2001.Italy
        Decree of the President of the Province No. 19 on fisheries.2001-05-08Italy
        Regional Act No. 33 providing for aquaculture and fish production development.2000-03-20Italy
        Regional Act No. 5 laying down rules for the development of aquaculture.2000-02-02Italy
        Regional Plan on Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture 2000-20022000Italy
        Regional Regulation No. 2 implementing Regional Act No. 7 of 1998 on the protection and development of fish population and regulating fishing in internal waters.1999-12-29Italy
        Presidential Decree, 16 December 1999, No. 543 implementing Directive 98/45 amending Directive 91/67/EEC concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products.1999-12-16The Presidential Decree has entered into force on 18 February 2000.Italy
        Regional Act No. 44 on the protection of fish population and aquatic ecosystem and regulating fishing in the Umbria Region1998-12-02Italy
        Presidential Decree No. 395 implementing EEC Directive 95/70 on minimum measures against some bivalve mollusc diseases.1998-10-20Italy
        Regional Act No. 7 on the protection and development of fish population and regulating fishing in internal waters.1998-07-30This Act enters into force on 2 August 1998.Italy
        Act No. 164 on fisheries and aquaculture.1998-05-21Italy
        Regional Act No. 19 setting out the rules for the protection of hydrobiological resources and of fish population and providing for in internal and maritime waters fisheries in the Veneto Region.1998-04-28Italy
        Presidential Decree No. 263 implementing Directive 93/53/CEE concerning measures against fish diseases.1997-07-03Italy
        Ministerial Decree adopting the fifth three-year plan for fisheries and aquaculture 1997-1999.1997-03-24Italy
        Ministerial Decree amending Ministerial Decree of 12 March 1990 on the implementation of Act of 28 August 1989, No. 302, concerning fishing credit.1997-03-11Italy
        Presidential Decree No. 555 regulating the implementation of EEC Directive 91/67/EEC establishing norms of sanitary police for aquaculture products, 1992.1997-01-29Italy
        Ministerial Decree concerning new regulation of fry fishing for stocking purposes.1996-08-07Italy
        Regional Act No. 23 on regional interventions for the promotion and the improvement of marine fisheries and mariculture.1996-05-20Italy
        Ministerial Decree approving models, refundable expenses and execution of the 1994-1999 plan for fisheries and aquaculture.1996-04-02Italy
        Ministerial Decree authorizing fishing in aquaculture plants.1995-09-29Italy
        Ministerial Decree establishing criteria for the eligibility of projects to the financing provided for by EEC Regulation No. 2080/93 implementing EEC Regulation No. 2052/88 on financial measures in the fisheries sector.1994-11-24Italy
        Regional Act No. 14 on the rational exploitation of fish resources, on the qualification and modernization of fishery enterprises and on the promotion of fish consumption.1994-04-18The Regional Act has entered into force on 22 April 1994.Italy
        Decision of the Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning (CIPE) regarding the proposal relevant to the common plan 1994-99, drawn up according to EEC Regulation No. 2080/93. (Financial measures for the fisheries sector).1994-04-13Italy
        Regional Act No. 34 providing for the development of aquaculture and fish products, 1993.1993-05-26Italy
        Act No. 102 on aquaculture.1992-02-05Italy
        Legislative Decree No. 131 establishing quality requisites of waters to be used for shellfish culture.1992-01-27Italy
        Ministerial Decree of 22 March 1991 concerning provisions in matter of live spat for rearing and repopulation purposes.1991-03-22Italy
        Ministerial Decree adopting the third national plan for fisheries and aquaculture in marine and brackish waters.1991-01-15Italy
        Regional Act No. 87 on the protection of fisheries and regulating fishing in the Lazio inland waters.1990-12-07Italy
        Regional Act of 17 July 1989, No. 43 approving the plan for the rationalization and development of marine fisheries and aquaculture in the Lazio Region.1989-07-17Italy
        Regional Act No. 16 providing for the development of aquaculture and fishery sector.1987-05-25Italy
        Regional Act No. 51 regulating professional fishing and aquaculture.1984-12-31Italy
        Regional Act No. 95 on interventions for the development and the improvement of fishery and aquaculture.1982-12-24The Regional Act enters into force on 1 February 1983.Italy
        Regional Act No. 25 providing for the development of fish population and fishery sector.1982-05-26Italy
        Act of 17 February 1982, No. 41 approving the plan for the rationalization and development of marine fisheries.1982-02-17Italy
        Ministerial Decree of 10 December 1981 making provisions for the fishing of live fry for rearing and repopulation purposes.1981-12-10Italy
        Regional Act No. 57 on interventions intended to promote fisheries and aquaculture.1981-12-04The Regional Act enters into force on the day of its publication on the Bollettino Ufficiale della Regione.Italy
        Regional Act No. 29 on interventions for aquaculture development.1981-09-04Italy
        Provincial Act No. 28 on fisheries.1978-06-09Italy
        Presidential Decree No. 320 on veterinary police.1954-02-08Italy
        Presidency of the Council of Ministers – Modernization of the fisheries and aquaculture sector (Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri – Modernizzazione del settore pesca e dell'acquacoltura)
        Presidency of the Council of Ministers – Urgent provisions on agriculture and fisheries (Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri - Disposizioni urgenti per l'agricoltura e la pesca)
        Alesii, L. & Panunzio, P. [a cura di] – Disciplina giuridico-amministrativa inerente la realizzazione di impianti di acquacoltura: realtà e problematiche – Quaderni ICRAM/15, Roma, 1994
        Iandoli, C. & Bianco, R. – Stato dell’acquacoltura in Italia e ruolo della politica comunitaria di supporto – Quaderni ICRAM/4, Roma, 1992
        Iandoli, C., Alaio, E. & Bianco, R. [a cura di] – L’imprenditorialità nel settore dell’acquacoltura in Italia – Quaderni ICRAM/10, Roma, 1994
        Sbroglia M., Cecchini S. & Sbroglia-Terova, G. Review of regulations and monitoring of Italian marine aquaculture, 2000 Journal of Applied Ichtiology, 16 (2000), 182-186

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