Adrian Todd, managing director of SA Equine Health and Protocols NPC (SAEHP), has announced the date of the European Union audit, the successful conclusion of which will allow the direct export of horses from South Africa to the European Union.
SA’s director of Animal Health Dr Mpho Maja has sent official notification to Todd stating, “It is our pleasure to inform you that we have confirmed availability for an audit of the animal health controls in place in South Africa in relation to the export of equidae from South Africa to the European Union (EU) from 10 to 21 October 2022.”
SAEHP CEO, Todd said, “We would never have been able to reach this stage without the help of our staunch supporters and the fact that we have developed a solid Public Private Partnership with the South African Government, both at national and provincial level, combined with the support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) for funding South Africa’s continuing efforts to have the export protocols changed. ”
The Chairman of SAEHP, David Abery, said: “Getting to this point in our drive to allow the export of horses from South Africa to the EU is due to the hard work and support of various role players, including our partners in the South African Government, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the NHRA as well as various racing bodies and individuals who have supported SAEHP to date, and of course the efforts of the team at SAEHP. I would like to especially thank the Hong Kong Jockey Club for their funding of SAEHP’s operations over the last year and for their insight and support during the process. I would also like to thank Adrian Todd and his team at SAEHP for their hard work and tenacity in getting us to this critical point.”
Previous intended scheduling for this important audit was interrupted by the Covid19 pandemic.
However, on this occasion a physical audit will be supplemented by video or virtual options, depending on Covid19 constraints.
Dr Maja is awaiting further communication from the EU inspectorate and preparations begin now in earnest for the audit event.
Todd has always been confident that measures put in place to control diseases like African Horse Sickness (AHS) and prevent their spread will see South Africa passing the audit.
Dr Maja also conveyed her confidence in a successful audit outcome.
