The price of the African Horse Sickness vaccine is compromising the effectiveness of animal health management and increasing the risk of a severe outbreak which could destroy industries, including horseracing, upon which many people depend for their livelihoods.
This was the message from a variety of trainers and breeders, who have told the Sporting Post that it is time for action and for putting a stop to what amounts to a monopolistic extortion.
A petition is being prepared, whereafter representation will be made to appropriate Government and other bodies to effect change.
Please click here to support the petition.
The petition is being organised by Saai, an entity that protects the rights and interests of family farmers, which includes horse owners.
The price of the current registered vaccine with Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), the sole supplier, is significantly higher than previous years, at about R430 per dose and does not include syringes and needles, as in previous years.
Users have been informed that the price is set to go up again.
Trainer Leon Lotz, a farmer and racehorse breeder and trainer, stressed that the issue was not with the National Horseracing Authority, but that the only vaccine currently registered in terms of the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act 1947 (Act no 36 of 47) for AHS is the live virus vaccine produced by Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP).
“We are sitting on a ticking time-bomb, and it’s vital that we all stand as one,” added the Middleburg-based Lotz, who said that the cost of vaccinating horses did not end with the vaccine price.
“There are professional costs, including travel and it’s an alarmingly expensive exrecise,” he concluded.
A Cape breeder said that their small operation cost them ‘thousands’.
The patent for the formula of the vaccine has long expired and it may be reproduced, but the current limited market may not support the commercial reproduction of the vaccine by other manufacturers. Another option may be to register an overseas product for import .
The petition says that as the only registered vaccine-producer OBP is a dominant firm in terms of section 7 of the Competition Act 89 of 1998, and in terms of section 8 of the act, it is prohibited for a dominant firm to charge an excessive price to the detriment of consumers or customers.
