This branch is responsible for aquaculture fish health and disease control, and is charged with co-ordinating disease control measures, such as fish movement restrictions, with advice provided by the Fisheries Research Services (FRS). The branch was also involved in producing a code of practice for fin fish welfare and looking at disposal routes for fish waste.
We work closely with other regulators and industry through regular meetings of the Aquaculture Health Joint Working Group (AHJWG). This group is chaired by FRS and we provide the policy input and secretariat. The AHJWG sub-groups have recently produced reports on Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis (IPN) and Disease Risks and Interactions between Farmed Salmonid and Emerging Marine Aquaculture Species. 
We are involved in research into various fish diseases and published publicity to raises people's awareness and hopefully prevent the introduction of Gyrodactylus Salaris, a freshwater parasite of salmonids, into Scotland. We have also produced a contingency plan to control or eradicate the parasite, should it be introduced.
The Branch is also leading Scottish input into a new Fish Health Directive which was agreed during 2006 and is involved in a UK-wide project team which will transpose the Directive into UK secondary legislation.