In May 2024- we co-authored a letter to the Minister of Agriculture together with Four Paws, calling for a ban on live animal exports. We received no response to our letter, and after many months and follow-ups sent, we finally received a response from Dr Anndrea Yelliah, Deputy Director: Primary Animal Health Care within the Nati Department of Agriculture. It reads as follows:

Subject: Live Animal Export by Sea

The Directorate: Veterinary Public Health, which is responsible for managing animal welfare matters within the Department, acknowledges receipt of your enquiry regarding the exportation of live animals.

In April 2024, the Director of Veterinary Public Health issued an acknowledgment of your submission requesting a ban on the exportation of live animals by sea.

The contents of the letter dated 20 May 2024 have been noted. It is the Ministry’s position that all animal transport and export must be carried out with due regard for animal welfare.

South Africa strongly advocates for the full implementation of laws that ensure the welfare of animals during transportation and/or exportation, including by sea.

Please be informed that the guidelines for the exportation of live animals by sea are currently in the process of being formalized into regulations. This will follow the Department’s standard consultation process, during which stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide further comments and inputs.

Kind Regards

Dr Anndrea Yelliah

Deputy Director: Primary Animal Health Care

Directorate: Veterinary Public Health

National Department of Agriculture

Agriculture Place S-GF-05

20 Steve Biko street

Arcadia, Pretoria

Tel: 012 319 6748

Email: AnndreaY@Dalrrd.gov.za