OFF THE RECORD #33

 Industry Leaders Respond to EU Ban on AHS Vaccinations

Thoroughbred breeders and owners of the many other horse breeds in the African Horse Sickness (AHS) Surveillance Zone of the Western Cape have expressed concerns about a recent European Union (EU) policy amendment prohibiting AHS vaccinations in the free and surveillance zones.

The issue arises from the EU's reinstatement in March 2024 of the export of horses from South Africa directly to the EU, a decision that was widely celebrated following 13 years of intensive teamwork and negotiations. However, the long-awaited published regulations to implement the policy have produced an unexpected curveball by halting the administration of previously carefully controlled AHS vaccinations. The restriction has been instituted predominantly to protect horses that would carry the ‘live’ vaccine from contracting AHS when they leave the country.

Affected by this policy change are high-profile breeders Varsfontein Stud, Drakenstein Stud and Avontuur Stud along with smaller breeders like Beaumont Stud, Winterbach Stud, Volmoed Stud, and prominent spelling facilities including Soetendal Estate and Paarl Diamant.

Breeders not affected by the requirement are those based in the AHS Protection Zone, including Klawervlei, Ridgemont, and Millstream near Robertson, as well as Wilgerbosdrift and Moutonshoek in the Piketberg region.

Above:  Anton Shepherd of Beaumont Stud

The problem is fivefold, said breeder Anton Shepherd of Beaumont Stud:

-Yearlings born and raised in the surveillance zone will have to travel, unvaccinated, to the National Yearling Sale in Johannesburg, held every April. This is a high-risk period in the infected area of the country which will increase their susceptibility to contracting AHS. Approximately 300 yearlings could be affected.

-The vaccine restriction will result in a potentially massive financial setback for Cape breeders who decide to sell their yearlings at sales held in the Cape instead of travelling to the annual National Sale, or other notable sales held later in the year on the Highveld or in KZN.

-Unvaccinated yearlings sold at the Cape Sales and bought by owners based on the Highveld (or in other parts of the country), would likewise have to first be vaccinated in the protection zone or another low-risk area in the infected zone to protect them against AHS. This will require extra planning, costs and additional transport arrangements, a potential deterrent to business.

-An increasing number of unvaccinated sports horses in the Surveillance Zone, including showjumpers, dressage horses, polo ponies and ordinary farm horses, greatly increases the potential impact of an AHS outbreak in the area.

-Within a few years, the risk of travelling with unvaccinated horses will dissuade owners and trainers from the Western Cape from entering their best contenders in races elsewhere in the country. This will undoubtedly affect the quality of some of our best graded races, with possible ramifications for the authenticity of the stud book. The entire fabric of breeding and racing in South Africa could be compromised.

Shepherd said: “With exports being the focus of the industry for so long, we worked hard to lay solid foundations for the return of direct exports to the EU. But now the building may collapse. I supported the drive for exports, but now we have to face other issues that may derail the whole process. To me, it’s the biggest crisis for breeders since my father started in 1963.”

He added: “I think that it is morally wrong for horses in the Surveillance Zone to be at risk, essentially the equivalent of the canary in the mine. This restriction from the EU prevents us from free trade either domestically or internationally and I believe it should be legally challenged.”

Avontuur’s Pippa Mickleburgh commented: “I do not want to be the spoke in the wheel for exports, I am all for it. I do not blame the South African Equine Health and Protocols (SAEHP) or anyone else, it is what it is. But I am concerned about animal welfare. If there is an outbreak of AHS in an unprotected population, many horses will die. We are sacrificial lambs for the export drive.”

Wellington-based veterinarian, Dr George Schabort, said: “We were only officially informed of the EU’s new rule in April, after the reinstatement was announced, so it came as a surprise to all. Everyone wants exports to proceed, it holds much trade potential for the industry, but with no vaccinations allowed, the inland trading will suffer in favour of a small percentage of exporters."

“There is a further predicament. There is a dire shortage of vaccines resulting from a variety of problems at Onderstepoort Biological Products with no immediate resolutions in sight. They are not able to deliver the quantities needed, if at all. We are in a catch 22 situation and it’s hugely problematic.”

Above: Moutonshoek's Benni van der Merwe

Another veterinarian and leading breeder, Dr. Bennie van der Merwe of Moutonshoek, takes a different view. He believes that the matter is being overblown. Van der Merwe said: “There is no crisis, I do not think we have a problem. This is a storm in a teacup. The outbreaks happened because we were using the vaccines incorrectly. We are using it correctly now and our movement controls and surveillance are better than ever before.”

He added: “For AHS to break out, three factors have to be present – a horse, a midge vector, and the AHS virus. If one is missing, there is no issue. We have no African horse sickness virus in the Western Cape. If the industry, SAEHP, National and Provincial Government continue to work together to follow the tried and tested AHS control protocols and perform surveillance in line with WOAH principles, there is no risk.”

Wehann Smith of Kuda Insurance reflected on the issue from his perspective as leading equine insurer. Smith said: “We have taken note of what has transpired. This was totally unexpected. SAEHP is consulting with industry and government to consider the concerns of various stakeholders, including commercial concerns."

“We are hoping for a sustainable solution, one that will allow direct exports to the EU but will not be detrimental to our local industry. As an insurer, we have to be concerned about catastrophic-type events, hence our wording around AHS and its exclusions. But we do not believe that the temporary halting of vaccinations will have any impact on the risk of a catastrophic outbreak. Cover will remain in place for the short term."

“As for longer term insurance implications, at this stage it is too early to comment. We have to see what long-term solutions are proposed. We take comfort in the fact that the stakes are high for the insurance business, but even higher for SAEHP who, in a Public Private Partnership with National and Provincial Government, is ultimately tasked with the control of AHS in South Africa. For now, policy holders will not be prejudiced.”

Professor Alan Guthrie, Director of the Equine Research Centre, University of Pretoria, urged caution and a considered response: “Prior to 1997, there was no requirement to vaccinate horses against AHS in South Africa and very few horses were vaccinated in the Western Cape. The AHS outbreak in the AHS surveillance zone in 1999 was the only outbreak of AHS in the last 25 years that was associated with a field strain AHS virus. All subsequent outbreaks were the result of the AHS vaccine virus.”

The Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA), commented via CEO Heather Morkel: “South Africa has made tremendous strides in the re-establishment of direct exports to the EU, thanks to the support of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the efforts and personal contributions of individuals, DALRRD and SAEHP. The adjusted regulations which include the non-vaccination of horses for AHS within specified zones in the Western Cape, have been met with understandable apprehension and disquiet by the Thoroughbred breeding community."

“There have been meetings convened with SAEHP, the veterinary community and the Cape Breeders’ Club. We are at the coalface of this disease, and this has meant the development of world class expertise within the veterinary realm. We entrust livelihoods and horses to the science and data which has been gathered over the years, including the management of our environment. Resilient and resourceful, we will keep our ‘eyes on the prize’ and trust the process which, with our input, will be in the best interests of our industry."

Above:  Adrian Todd, MD of the SAEHP

South African Equine Health and Protocols MD Adrian Todd stated that it had been a long road to the opening of exports and cautioned against alarm in the current situation. “The stipulation by the EU which effectively bans vaccination in the free and surveillance zones is far from ideal and in consultation with the South African Government this will be addressed with the EU. However, the fact remains that South Africa is currently compliant with the EU regulations pertaining to export."

“Should South Africa now vaccinate in the free and surveillance zones without having negotiated some form of derogation with the EU Commission, then South Africa will not be compliant with EU regulations and will not be able to export. As to the immediate impact of not vaccinating in the free and surveillance zones, we are aware of concerns raised, particularly as to how this will impact movement, and are actively seeking solutions in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Western Cape Veterinary Services, TBA, NHRA, SAEF, and local veterinarians.”