In-feed supplier ‘triumphant’ after court case dismissal

Animate Animal Health (Animate), a South African supplier of in-feed additives for cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry, emerged victorious after a court case aimed at one of its products was recently dismissed with costs by the Gauteng Division of the High Court.

In a statement, Animate said the lawsuit was brought by a group known as the Association of Concerned Professional Animal Consultants, comprising three feedlot veterinarians and two feedlot animal nutritionists. The group belatedly challenged the registration of Salbutamate

10% as a stock remedy in terms of Section 3 of the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act No. 36 of 1947.

They alleged that the registrar of Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies failed to consider the application for registration properly and should not have granted the registration in 2014, or the renewal in 2017. The group’s application was opposed by the

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the registrar of Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies; and Animate.

“After two days of hearings, the Gauteng Division of the High Court dismissed the application with costs, including those of two council members in respect of both Animate and the minister/registrar, putting an end to the unlawful attack on Salbutamate 10%,” the statement said.

According to Animate, Salbutamate 10% was a feed additive used for increased mass gain, increased feed efficiency, improved carcass dressing percentage, and improved carcass leanness in cattle, sheep and pigs.

Hugo Hattingh, founder of Animate, said Salbutamate 10% had shown excellent results in pigs in the company’s clinical trials, which were conducted at the University of the Witwatersrand. He said that the registration for pigs was obtained in October 2020 with a zero withdrawal rate. “What this means is that the product is leaving hardly any residue in the meat, and is completely safe for human consumption, just as it is in the case of cattle and sheep.”

He added that Salbutamate 10% had also been endorsed by South African meat producers and key decisionmakers since its registration for use in cattle, and had been used safely by major customers for many years.

He said Animate was “delighted with the outcome of the court case” and that its “good name is vindicated as a result of the ruling”. – Jeandré van der Walt

JEANDRÉ VAN DER WALT A court case against Animate Animal Health‘s Salbutamate 10% product was recently dismissed with costs by the Gauteng Division of the High Court.