AGRA CONTINUES WITH AUCTIONS DESPITE NEW SA IMPORT REQUIREMENTS
Published: 06 Jul 2016 

 Agra would like to inform the general public and more specifically its livestock and auction stakeholders that despite the new stringent South African import requirements implemented last week Friday, 1 July 2016, Agra will continue with its scheduled livestock auctions.

The new legislation requires stricter measures on vaccination, testing and quarantine requirements of large and small livestock for disease prevention. Agra anticipates that this new measure will make a significant impact on the ability for stakeholders involved in export of livestock to market the products to the neighbouring country, South Africa. The effect on all auctions may result in reduced buying power available for livestock on offer.

The new export regulations poses a serious challenge for Agra auctions due to the uncertainty it creates for the export market. Agra will however continue to hold livestock auctions to facilitate a marketing channel for the producer to be able to sell his animals. It should be noted that due to the anticipated risks associated with an uncertain export market, Agra will implement firm credit control measures for all its livestock auctions. These measures will stipulate that only cash buyers or buyers with a pre-approved credit facility within their limits will be able to purchase livestock at a scheduled auction.

Agra’s measures are meant to protect the interest of buyers and sellers, which make up the base of our auction partners. The measures are not to discourage participation at these auctions, but rather to safeguard stakeholders during these uncertain times while still continuing to deliver excellent services to our clients.-------------------------------------------------------------

Background on South African import requirements for livestock from Namibia (Circular V8/2016):

From 1 July 2016 all cattle and small stock destined for export to the Republic of South Africa (RSA) would have to be tested for tuberculosis (cattle only) and Brucellosis (both cattle and small stock). 

Due to the high numbers of livestock exports to RSA, the pre-export testing of these animals presents a serious logistical challenge for the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) due to limited capacity to cope with such a high number of samples requiring collection, processing and testing. It is therefore against this background that some guidelines on dealing with this situation have become necessary. The following are guidelines in which the role of each stakeholder is explained so that the arrangements for testing of export animals are to be done in an organised manner.

Collection of samples/testing:
Exporters to RSA requiring their animals to be tested are required to apply in writing to the nearest State Veterinary office at least 10 working days prior to the day when samples are to be collected on TB tests done in the case of cattle. State Veterinary offices should inform the Central Veterinary Lab (CVL) at the same time that they receive notification from exporters. All the samples should only be sent through the local State Veterinary 

office.

The sample submission form must be verified and signed by the local State Veterinarian, CVL, upon receiving of such samples will notify the responsible State Veterinary office that such samples have been received at CVL. All concerns the exporters might have regarding the sample status at CVL and the results thereof should be communicated through their local State Veterinary Office.

Payment for services and supply of materials:
The exporter shall bear all the costs pertaining to transport, laboratory costs, TB testing antigen, blood collecting tubes and other accessories, as incurred by DVS.

Duties of State Veterinary Offices:
• Receiving of notifications from farmers/exporters and at the same time notify CVL
• Liaising with CVL prior to collection of samples
• Collection of samples and conducting any field tests that might be required
• Separation, packaging, labelling and sending serum samples to CVL
• Billing and collection of fees from farmers/exporters
• Following up of laboratory results
• Informing farmers/exporters timely upon receiving laboratory results and payment thereof
• Keeping appropriate records of all samples collected and results received from CVL
• Certification only when all requirements are complied with.
• Blood samples should be collected in either red top or yellow (gel & clot activator) vacutainer tubes
• If blood has been collected in yellow vacutainer tubes no serum separation is needed prior to sending to CVL; meaning they can be immediately sent as they are.
• All samples must be labelled clearly and legibly.
• Ensure that packaging is done appropriately to avoid any spillage.
• All details of the farmer, samples and veterinary official must be fully captured on the DRF.
• It must also be clearly indicated on the DRF if testing is for export to RSA.

Duties of farmers/exporters:
• Notification of the nearest State Veterinary Office in writing at least 10 working days prior to the envisaged date of sampling.
• Provision of blood tubes, needles, reagents and TB testing antigen, if required by the State Veterinarian.
• Appropriate means of individual identification (ear tags) of all animals intended for export must be provided prior to testing. In small stock, tagging of animals during blood collection could be more practical. However, this should be discussed with the local State Veterinarian.
• Tested animals should be kept in isolation until they are loaded for export.
• Timely payment of any fees charged. Lab results will not be released unless the full payment has been made.

Duties of Central Veterinary Laboratory:
• Receiving of samples for testing
• Timely testing of received samples
• Timely sending of results to the respective State Veterinary offices together with the invoice within 5 working days.
• Liaising with State Veterinary Offices

Source: Circular V8/2016 – Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry