European Union to lift horse export ban

A two-year ban imposed by the European Union (EU) on the export of South African horses following an outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS) may be lifted at the end of the month, Racing South Africa said.

“If the controlled area remains free of AHS by then, we are expecting the EU to lift the suspension,” Peter Gibson, chief executive of Racing South Africa, said on Friday.

The EU imposed the ban after an outbreak of AHS was detected in the surveillance zone in the Western Cape in February 2004.

The surveillance zone is about 40km from the AHS horse sickness-free zone, which is the only area in South Africa where horses are accepted for export to other countries.

African horse sickness is transmitted by midges and can spread rapidly.

Gibson said a final report from the South African Veterinary Service, operating under the auspices of the agriculture department, would be sent to the EU to facilitate the lifting of the ban.

In September 2004, a report explaining the extent of the outbreak and what actions were taken to contain it was sent, declaring the outbreak “concluded”.

Gibson said attempts to lobby the EU to lift the ban sooner fell on deaf ears, as an inspection by the EU of the SA Veterinary Services did not progress as well as expected and the opportunity to resume equine exports was lost.

Gibson said AHS was endemic to Africa, and while the EU has taken an “onerous” approach to exports, the US had continued to allow the importing of horses.

The imported horses must be quarantined for 60 days in New York but no testing is required for the disease.

He said while the EU protocol allowed South Africa to enter the international bloodstock door, this admission has come with a cost.

“Two outbreaks of AHS have proved its fallibility and the impact on local industry has been too high,” Gibson said, adding that since the latest ban was imposed in February 2004, more than 200 horses have been exported via Mauritius.

“But the length of quarantine and cost of delivery cannot sustain South African exports. As a result of the high cost of delivery through this route, it is estimated that South African exporters lost some R20 million in this period.”

Should the EU ban be lifted in March as expected, it would lessen the cost of exporting horses to Dubai by at least $12 000 per horse.