Lifting on ban of horse export from SA brings relief

The lifting of a ban on the export of horses from South Africa signals an increase in horse breeding and more job creation.

After a 13-year ban because of African horse sickness, South Africa has resumed direct horse exports to Europe.

The departure of a consignment of 32 horses on August 17 was the first direct export of horses to the EU since December 2010. It was the result of many years of hard work through a public-private partnership between SA Equine Health and Protocols (SAEHP), the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Veterinary Services, the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development and various sectors of the equine industry.

Of the 32 horses on the flight, there were 27 endurance horses, three racehorses, one polo pony and one warmblood.

For just over 13 years, the only alternative to move horses from the country to the EU and onwards was via Mauritius or direct to the USA. While going via Mauritius was a good option, it did however incur additional costs and time (about 70 additional days in Mauritius), which reduced the number of horses procured and shipped.

South African Equine Health and Protocols managing director Adrian Todd said it had been a long road.

Todd said they started SAEHP in 2018 to put a dedicated focus on exports. They formed a public private partnership with government and Western Cape Veterinary Services.

“You can only export out of the Western Cape because there is a free zone in the Cape Metropolitan. South Africa failed the 2013 audit by the EU so we had to get that all up to scratch. We have been supported wonderfully by international people. Since 2021, notably the Hong Kong Jockey club, has been the main financial contributor. That lends a lot of credence to the fact that South African horses are considered world class," said Todd.

He said the next export was scheduled for mid September.

“The thoroughbred industry alone supports 177 000 people; it’s a highly labour intensive industry. South Africa has international quality horses and not just in thoroughbreds. Our endurance horses are highly sought after in the Middle East. It was costly and took a longer time to go via Mauritius. Now that we’ve met the EU standards, which is the gold standard, it allows us to negotiate trade with other potential trade partners, like the Middle and Far East, on the same basis,” he said.

Todd said sale prices from 2022, with an average of R357 000, went up by 31% to R582 000, which he said could be attributed to the ability of South African breeders.

“International buyers can now purchase in South Africa and export. It also allows the ability to bring in new genetics because if you start selling in hard currency then you can improve your genetics by bringing in mares from overseas which previously were not financially viable,” he said.

Todd said some of the biggest horse breeders in the country were in KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

Candice Hobday, of Hobday Equestrian Enterprises, who facilitated the transportation and export of the horses, said South Africa produced some phenomenal horses.

“The lifting of the ban will allow greater export of horses from the country and more money coming into SA. It is an exciting opportunity for anyone involved in equestrian, whether commercial or leisure,” said Hobday.

She said the ban and the Covid pandemic had killed the export market.

In the last five years exports were between 18 to 30, compared with up to 300 leaving prior to the ban.

According to a report on thoroughbredracing.com, the reinstatement of direct exports to the EU may lead to other export markets deciding to invest in South African horses, either by exporting via the EU or directly from South Africa.

Western Cape Agriculture MEC Dr Ivan Meyer said the direct export of horses to the EU results in a significant increase in sales of horses in the thoroughbred and endurance horse industry, which will significantly boost the local economy and create jobs locally and in other provinces.

“An estimated 177 000 people are supported by employment in the thoroughbred horse racing and breeding industry alone, with many more jobs in the rural areas provided by other sectors of the equine industry. The ability to export horses to the EU will protect these jobs,” said Meyer.