On Friday the racing operators, RA, and NHRA were updated on the current situation as regards the equine disease control system in South Africa. As you are all aware the operation, management, and maintenance of the disease control system and the accompanying risk mitigation measures is conducted by the South African Equine Health and Protocols NPC (SAEHP) on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD).

I am reluctantly forced to inform you that as the situation currently stands, and due to circumstances beyond our control, SAEHP has been forced to suspend the provision of these services effective 1 December.

The immediate impact of this forced action will be the suspension of the movement permit issuing and risk assessment functions conducted under the auspices of the Animal Diseases Act.

This suspension will impact on the following permit issuances:

Movement permits from Johannesburg and Durban into the AHS control zones.
Movement permits from Port Elizabeth into the AHS control zones.
Movement permits from all stop over quarantine stations into the AHS control zones.
Issuance, updating, and monthly validation of multiple movement permits (these permits allow for movement between the Philippi training centre and Kenilworth racecourse and movement between the Milnerton training centre and Durbanville racecourse, as well as movement from satellite yards to racing in the control zones).
As circumstances dictate that SAEHP will be unable to continue to deliver these services on behalf of DALRRD, the responsibility will revert to the State.

Adrian Todd – Managing Director SAEHP