W Cape horse movement restrictions come into effect

Cape Town - The annual ban on the direct movement of horses into the Western Cape’s African Horse Sickness (AHS) Controlled Area zones came into effect on Wednesday February 1.

Minister of Economic Opportunities Alan Winde said the movement restrictions, which are imposed every year at this time, meant that all horses entering the province’s AHS controlled area from the AHS infected zone, would spend 14 days at an approved stop-over quarantine facility.

"The high risk AHS season is from 1 February to 30 June. In order to manage the risk, all horses entering the province during these months will be held at an approved facility for a minimum of 14 days," said Winde.

“After this period, they will be tested to prove they are free of AHS. This test will take place at a lab approved by the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Once cleared through this process, the horses will be able to enter the Western Cape’s AHS controlled area.”

Winde added that, according to the AHS Control Policy: Movement Control Protocol, all horses entering the AHS controlled area, from an AHS infected zone, must have been vaccinated within the past two years and not less than 40 days prior to entry.