NEWS 42 ADIYAT RACING PLUS ISSUE 840 Thrsday 4th April 2024 adiyat racing plus.com adiyat racing plus.com THE PROTOCOLS RESTRICTED THE MOVEMENT OF HORSES TRAINED BY MIKE DE KOCK, WHO REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL TRAINERS IN THE HISTORY OF CARNIVAL RACING IN DUBAI. FINALLY! HOPE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN CONNECTIONS WITH EUROPEAN AMBITIONS South African racing received a shot in the arm last week when European Union officials showed them the green light to resume direct shipments of horses to Europe. It is 13 years since South Africa was last able to export registered equines directly to the EU and the amendment places South Africa’s African Horse Sickness (AHS) free zone back on the Annex IV list as an authorised zone within the country from which registered equines are eligible for direct entry into the EU following the required in-country pre-export quarantine period. The announcement was made by South African Equine Health and Protocols (SAEHP), in conjunction with the South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), who received official notification regarding the reinstatement of direct exports of registered equines from South Africa to the EU had been approved. This official notification followed a meeting of the EU Commission Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed - Controls and Import Conditions Section whereby the EU Member States endorsed the Commission’s proposal for an amendment to Annex IV of the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404. The move will benefit South African racing immensely as under former regulations, in place since 2011, horses being exported to Europe would take months to reach their final destinations due to the time-consuming protocols in place due to the AHS outbreak. The protocols in place severely restricted the movement of the population schooled by South African legend Mike de Kock, who remains one of the most successful trainers in the history of the Carnival racing in Dubai. Welcoming the move, Dr. Mpho Maja, Director Animal Health at DALRRD, said: “I am very pleased with the outcome; this shows that when we work together, we can achieve what is thought to be impossible. I send my gratitude to the equine industry and provincial veterinary services for the support provided in ensuring compliance to the requirements. I look forward to our horses flying the flag internationally and making us all proud.” David Abery, Chairman of SAEHP, added: “This is very exciting news, and thank you to everyone involved in making it happen. It is anticipated that this opening up of direct EU exports will, over time, give a significant boost to not just the South African thoroughbred racing and breeding industry, but also to the other equine disciplines, all of which have been somewhat internationally isolated for many years.” Prolific Proteas: South African Mike De Kock-trained Sun Classique winning the 2008 running of the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic
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