Announcement by EU Commission to lift the ban on the direct importation of horses from South Africa

Update following recent announcement by EU Commission to lift the ban on the direct importation of horses from South Africa to EU Member States

After 13 years, the African Horse Sickness (AHS) free zone in Cape Town has been reinstated on the Annex IV list (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404) as an authorised zone within South Africa, from which registered equines may be exported directly into the EU, following the required period of pre-export quarantine.

The TBA Veterinary Committee will review the supporting legislation and operating protocols as they are published over the coming weeks and will maintain close dialogue with Defra and the APHA. 

Direct imports to the EU from South Africa may commence before the end of this year and as always, vigilance will be required in establishing the Country of origin of all thoroughbreds arriving on British stud farms. Isolation and health testing of any new arrivals should be implemented as per the HBLB International Codes of Practice. 

AHS is a vector-borne disease, which is fatal in 90% of infected horses and difficult to control through vaccination alone.  There have been no cases of AHS in the UK to date and it is listed as the third highest disease threat on the National Risk Register (2023). Preventing AHS reaching the UK is a top priority.

We will continue to keep our Members fully updated on any further guidance. 

You can read the Racing Post recent article here: https://www.racingpost.com/news/international/south-africa/south-african-racing-comes-out-of-13-year-isolation-after-eu-export-ban-is-lifted-au6B30j0kkVP/