Question NW433 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
25 March 2024 - NW433
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to the recent docking of the ship Al Kuwait carrying 19 000 live cattle in Cape Town and the attending reports of cruelty to animals on the specified ship, what measures and regulations will she and her department put in place to manage the welfare of future exports of live animals on ships from the Republic, in order to safeguard the welfare of the animals and prevent the abuse of the animals transported; (2) whether the existing non-mandatory Guidelines for the Exportation of Live Animals by Sea version 1 will be converted into enforceable regulations; if not, why not; if so, (a) by what date will this be implemented and (b) what are the relevant details thereof, including the (i) requirements for pre-boarding veterinary care and inspection, (ii) independent monitors on board for the duration of the voyage, (iii) on-board automated monitoring of ambient conditions and (iv) transparent reporting on the ambient conditions and welfare of animals during the voyage and upon arrival at their destination; (3) whether there will be any prohibition of live export by sea during certain times, such as exclusion during the Northern Hemisphere summer, as prohibited in the existing regulations and in Australia's regulations, but not adhered to in terms of the shipment that took place in July 2023; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
(1) The AI Kuwait that docked in Cape Town was ferrying 17500 heads of cattle from Rio Grande, Brazil to Iraq. A South African Company, acting on behalf of their customer, approached the Department with a request to allow the vessel that was transporting 17500 heads of cattle to dock in Cape Town to load 2000 tons of animal feed. Detailed specifications of the vessel were provided, ensuring stringent measures to prevent contamination. Loading procedures for the feed were outlined, involving the use of conveyor belts. No livestock from South Africa was carried on this vessel.
Relating to the cases of exports from South Africa, the current laws, standards, and international norms and standards that are used for the exports 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.
(2) Yes.
(a),(b) 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.
(i),(ii),(ii),(iv) The regulations will include the appropriate measures.
(3) Any possible prohibitions will be considered during the drafting of the regulations.
4. No.