PRESENTATION TO PARLIAMENTARY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE DR BENNIE VAN DER MERWE24 FEB 2015 ON BEHALF OF THE THOROUGHBRED RACING & BREEDING INDUSTRY

DR BENNIE VAN DER MERWE: EQUINE VETERINARIAN RACEHORSE BREEDER COUNCIL MEMBER OF THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION (TBA) OF SA. DIRECTOR OF RACING SOUTH AFRICA MEMBER OF EQUINE RESEARCH CENTRE (ERC) OF UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER OF HORSE IMPORT & EXPORT TASK TEAM (HIETT) REPRESENTATIVE AT INTERNATIONAL THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ FEDERATION (ITBF) EVERY 18 MONTHS FOR TBA OF SOUTH AFRICA FORMER PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICAN EQUINE VETERINARY ASSOCIATION (SAEVA)

Appeal to Portfolio Committee to assist because: Currently the South African Thoroughbred Racehorse Yearlings sell for about 25% of the going rate globally, despite being of at least the same standard if not better. This because of crippling export bans and prohibitive protocols as a result of African Horse Sickness (AHS) – a vector (midge) transmitted disease like Bluetongue in sheep. AHS is indeed a very serious disease and has an especially devastating effect on largely unvaccinated horses, many of which reside in the Eastern Cape.

It has a massive effect on our export and international participation in sporting equestrian events such as the World Equestrian Games and the World Cup for racing in Dubai each year. This is a potential R1 billion export market. Also a devastating effect on Indigent Communities. Direct costs include the loss of a tradeable animal, estimated to average R per horse, loss of a working animal, whether in terms of transport or ploughing fields. Indirect costs include all product and services related to the maintenance of horses in the community. Emotional costs and the loss of breeding stock should also be considered. Aware that South Africa is serious about bidding for 2024 Olympics. Currently it would be impossible to bid for Olympics, as one cannot host Olympics without Equestrian Sports. Cannot host Equestrian Sport under current Export Protocols as competing horses cannot leave South Africa after competing. Excellent diagnostic test for AHS – ERC’s real time PCR- currently under 4 th stage validation for use in International Trade

Export workshop hosted in April Identified Vector Protected “Lock Down” facility in the AHS Controlled Area as having best chance of appealing to prospective trade partners. Currently undergoing a Risk Assessment by leading authority AusVet as to the risk of exporting AHS from a lockdown facility in the AHS Controlled Area. Other options for less risk averse countries, including a lockdown in the infected area of the country, will also be considered and evaluated. Own opinion – risk will be very low. Involvement of Horse Import & Export Task Team (HIETT) – a collaboration between State Veterinarians from DAFF, WC Government and Industry Veterinarians and the ERC Appeal for a VERY HIGH LEVEL INTERDEPARTMENTAL TASK TEAM to be appointed by Government to look into matter. Departments involved but not limited to Agriculture, Sport, Treasury, DTI, Science & Technology. WILL succeed!