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Port Health

To ensure proper public health controls are in place at ports of entry.

Service delivery broadly comprises:

  • Control of vermin on vessels
  • Infectious disease control at ports of entry
  • Border controls for importation of food and animal products

Since the days of the ‘plague’, vessels have been required to be free of rats under international law. Shetland Islands Council is the Port Health Authority in Shetland and its duties are carried out by the Environmental Health Team.

Environmental Health Staff inspect ships to ensure they are free of rats and issue a certificate to the Master of the vessel. A vessel that has been free of rats is issued with an exemption certificate. If rats are found on the vessel then a De-ratting certificate is issued once treatment has been carried out.

Inspections are organised with the Environmental Health Officer usually through local shipping agents.

For further information please contact Environmental Health on 01595 744800.