Black economic empowerment and the establishment of previously disadvantaged persons within Agriculture is one of the highest priorities of our government. In this regard we are proud of the achievements of Raymond Koopstad one of our emerging farmers in the Ceres region who has already made his mark in the equine industry with the breeding of thoroughbred racehorses.
Access to global bloodstock markets is the single biggest stimulus to grow South Africa’s equine industry. It is however a fact that African Horse sickness (AHS) is the single biggest obstacle in achieving this.
We are all very well aware of the crippling effect of the decision made by the European Commission on 17 March 2004 to suspend equine exports from South Africa. The ban that was due to the outbreak of African Horse sickness had far reaching consequences for the growth of this industry.
It was estimated by Racing SA that the cost to South Africa over the 32-month period was approximately R125 million - This excluded the indirect costs and also the loss of confidence and the loss in market share in the International arena.
It was thus with great satisfaction and gratitude that I could inform the Provincial Parliament on 30 October 2006 that the ban was repealed in Brussels on Wednesday, 25 October 2006.
I said the following:
“In April of this year, two years after the clinical endpoint of the 2004 outbreak of African Horse Sickness (AHS) in Stellenbosch had been reached, the European Commission’s Standing Veterinary Committee (SVC) elected to lift the suspension on exports from South Africa. However, the Commission was forced to delay the implementation of that decision following the outbreak of AHS in the Robertson district of the BAR Valley in the Western Cape. Although Robertson is more than 100km from the Free Zone and is separated by a significant geographical barrier, the Hottentots Holland mountain range, it forms part of the AHS Controlled Area.
The Western Cape Veterinary Services officially lifted the Robertson quarantine on 14 July 2006 and the final report was submitted to the European Commission during September.
The EU suspension has, therefore, been lifted only three months after the clinical end point of the Robertson outbreak, which is a major breakthrough for South Africa. This is as a result of the transparency that exists between the South African Veterinary Services and its trading partners and the constructive negotiations that took place with the EU.
The great effort made by the Import Export Working Group, a partnership between the Department of Agriculture (National and Western Cape Province) and Racing South Africa, should be commended. The work of this body has paved the way for fundamental changes to the way in which South Africa is able to negotiate future export protocols with importing countries. Also great appreciation is expressed to owners of horses who adhered to the control measures implemented by the Western Cape veterinary services in an attempt to prevent their animals from contracting the disease”. (Close quote)
This achievement was made possible through concerted efforts by all the role players in the industry, with the SA Horse Import & Export Council being a major role-player in our efforts to be reinstated.
The council was formed in 1995 to oversee the internationalisation of the South African equine industry. The Council assisted the South African Veterinary Services in developing the first Export Protocol with the European Union (EU), which was ratified in 1997.
Based on the principle of Regionalisation, a large part of the Western Cape was declared the AHS Controlled Area within which a small Free Zone was maintained.
Additional guarantees included the development of a high-tech vector-protected quarantine station and in 1997 a four stable quarantine facility was built here at Kenilworth Racecourse to facilitate the export of “LONDON NEWS” who famously went on to win the coveted Gr.2 (now Gr.1) QEII Cup in Hong Kong.
As the name implies, the quarantine station acts as a barrier between the naturally occurring culicoides midge (vector) population and the export horses. The technology is based on positive pressure, filtered ventilation, which prevents the midge from flying into the building. The air is changed at least 12 times per hour. Access to the quarantine stables is gained via a double entry door system, which acts as an additional filter, therefore, further reducing the possibility of midges entering the quarantine chamber. Other routines include the application of insect repellents and insectocutors.
By 2003 the demand for South African horses had outgrown Kenilworth’s capacity and SAHIEC raised finance from Racing South Africa’s current shareholders namely Gold Circle, Phumelela, Racing Association, Western Province O&T Association and TBA as well as a private loan from Bernard Kantor to build Kenilworth Quarantine Station in the same year. I want to thank the shareholders for demonstrating your commitment to the industry through your support for this project.
This 4 barn, 32 stable Quarantine Station that was completed in July 2003 is today the symbol of a technology driven solution to meet with the challenges of South Africa’s export situation.
The first shipment of horses going through this new facility left for Dubai on 10 October 2003 and included horses like Kournikova (for a stud in Ireland), Port Of London (for Hong Kong) and former J&B Met winner, Bunter Barlow (for a hurdling career in the UK).
I understand that another 66 horses were exported before the February 2004 outbreak of AHS and the subsequent ban. Following the EU’s decision to lift the suspension on 26 October 2006, Kenilworth Quarantine Station has 22 horses due for export to the EU in two weeks time. The station is now under the management of Racing South Africa.
As a Provincial government we acknowledge the importance of the hosting of international events,also to the total equine industry. We want the Western Cape to be a centre of equine excellence in order to host events such as International Racing, the Olympic Equestrian Games, the African Endurance Championship and Polo.
This facility has an indispensable contribution to make towards our standing in the International Arena. I trust that we will be able to reap the benefits provided by this station in many years to come, while we see the industry growing from strength to strength.
It is now my pleasure to officially declare this facility open.
Alie van Jaarsveld
Spokesperson
Ministry of Agriculture: Western Cape
Tel: 021 483 4930
Fax: 021 483 3890
Cell: 084 604 6701
Email: avjaarsv@pgwc.gov.za
http://www.capegateway.gov.za
