THE SWEDISH STORY ABOUT IMPORT OF LIVE CRAYFISH

The Swedish market for freshwater crayfish is attractive since a high price is paid for the crayfish. Before 1997 the import of live crayfish was regulated and required application, import permit, veterinary border control and approved boiling places. In august 1997 four paragraphs were removed from the import legislation, resulting in an almost open border to live crayfish import, regardless of species or country of origin. This seriously increased the threat to the work of conserving the native noble crayfish, with the possibility of new species and diseases entering the country. An account will be given of what has happened during six years to solve this problem and of which actors (authorities, organisations, media) have taken part in the process. Eventually, since august 2003 three new paragraphs in the environmental legislation are in force and all import of live crayfish from abroad is prohibited.