'Without a breakthrough our industry will cease to exist'

The South African racing and breeding industries are at real risk of implosion should there be any further delays to an audit by the European Union into the country's disease control measures for equines.

That is according to an eight-point memorandum published by the South Africa Equine Health and Protocols NPC (SAEHP) this week.

The SAEHP is a dedicated unit which seeks to re-introduce the direct trade of horses with the EU, which it envisages will open the door for trade with other countries as a result, with the memorandum stating: "The world looks to the EU as a gold standard for animal disease control and safe and sustainable movement of animals across borders."

World-renowned vet Des Leadon was among those called upon to assist with the implementation of what the SAEHP proudly describes as a 'world-class disease control system'.

Leadon has conducted two independent audits of South Africa's disease control measures, in anticipation of an official EU audit.

However, the SAEHP warns that without the free trade of thoroughbreds the South African industry will not be able to continue funding the control system which has been established.

The SAEHP also points to a stand-off over poultry trade between South Africa and the EU as one of the main stumbling blocks preventing the latter from carrying out an audit.

"South Africa has done everything that has been asked regarding compliance with EU standards," said Adrian Todd, who heads up the SAEHP.

"We are asking for no concessions, just an inspection of our disease control systems. We trust the European and UK industries to assist in lobbying our case to the EU. Without a breakthrough our industry will cease to exist."

Industry professionals in South Africa had a bitter pill to swallow in May 2013 when the EU carried out an audit which found that the country was unable to ensure the absence of African horse sickness (AHS) in the specially controlled zone for horses being exported.

Since then, South Africa has been unable to export horses directly to most countries, with equines required to spend a minimum of 21 days quarantine in South Africa and a further three months in Mauritius before reaching Europe, with a further residency of 30 to 60 days required before onward transportation to other countries.

The controlled zone - which comprises a protected, surveillance and free zone - has been in place since 1997 and allowed South African trainer Mike de Kock to regularly land Group 1 spoils on an international stage.

Among his elite winners were Archipenko, Eagle Mountain, Ipi Tombe, Irridescence, Lizard's Desire, Master Of Hounds, Right Approach, Shea Shea, Sun Classique, Variety Club and Vercingetorix.

However, with the challenges of being unable to export directly to other countries, De Kock has not fielded a top-flight winner outside of South Africa since Variety Club triumphed in the Champions Mile at Sha Tin in May 2014.

The South African industry was dealt another body blow earlier this month with the announcement that there would be cuts to prize-money in the majority of the country's racing centres.

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