Didiza tightens law on export of live animals

MINISTER of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform Thoko Didiza has warned that they are tightening laws on the export of live animals, following the public outcry after a ship docked in Cape Town carrying 17 500 cattle that were being shipped from Brazil to Iraq.

Didiza said the draft on the regulations will be finalised by the end of April this year.

The minister also said they were looking at all options on the regulations to ensure that what happened in Cape Town in February did not happen again.

The terrible smell from the ship that docked in Cape Town led officials to launch a probe.

Describing the conditions inside the ship as deplorable, the SPCA said it found dead and injured animals on board.

Political parties also said action must be taken against those exporting the cattle.

Didiza said the Al Kuwait docked in Cape Town after “a South African company, acting on behalf of their customer” asked the department to allow the ship to load 2 000 tons of animal feed.

The minister said all procedures were followed to prevent contamination.

Didiza said they would tighten up measures to prevent what happened in February from ever happening again.

Didiza was replying to a written parliamentary question from Freedom Front Plus member Tamarin Breedt, who wanted to know if the existing guidelines on the export of live animals by sea would be tightened.

Breedt also wanted to know whether these regulations would be enforceable, as well as the envisaged date for the implementation of such measures.

Didiza said: “Relating to the cases of exports from South Africa, the current laws, standards and international norms and standards that are used for the export of live animals from the Republic already serve to provide assurances for animal welfare.

The department is, however, working on beefing up the regulatory framework by introducing regulations for the export of animals by sea.

“The first draft will be finalised by the end of April 2024.

“This will be followed by the formal legislation development processes, including a socio-economic impact assessment, public consultation and review of the comments from the public.

“Once the process has been completed, the document will be presented to the Minister for consideration and promulgation.

“It is envisaged that the second part of the process will be completed in the second quarter of the next financial year,” said Didiza.

She said the regulations would close all loopholes in the system.

They would then ensure that vessels that dock in any harbour adhere to the regulations that are in place.