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19.04.2024 | Compliance with the Animal Improvement Act, No 62 of 1998

COMPLIANCE WITH THE ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT ACT, No 62 of 1998
IMPORTATION OF DOGS INTO SOUTH AFRICA FROM 1 APRIL 2024
 
The directive issued by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development (DALRRD) on 23 March 2024 and media statement of 10 April 2024, has reference.
 
A delegation of the Kennel Union met with the appropriate officials in the DALRRD on Friday, 12 April 2024, with a view to finding a solution to the imminent or near-imminent arrival of dogs imported on the strength of Veterinary Import Permits which, at the time of issue, were not required to be supported by a permit from the DALRRD attesting to the importer’s compliance with the Animal Improvement Act. We are pleased to advise that the officials of the DALRRD were receptive to KUSA’s appeal to, as an interim measure, compromise on the 30-days turnaround for issuing the Animal Improvement Permit and the DALRRD undertook to fast-track any urgent application, if brought to its attention.
 
During discussions it was agreed to recommend the following procedure to KUSA members who intend acquiring an Animal Improvement Permit from the DALRRD prior to applying for a Veterinary Import Permit:
 
• Obtain the required Application Form for an Animal Improvement Permit from the DALRRD
• Complete the required sections of the Application Form
• Scan and send the Application Form to KUSA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., accompanied by Proof of Payment for R200.00 paid into KUSA’s bank account, using the payment reference “[Mem No.] – DALRRD Import Permit”.
• Upon receipt, KUSA, as the DALRRD-registered Breeders’ Society, shall attest to the member’s compliance with the Animal Improvement Act and return a scan of the signed and stamped Application Form to the member for submission to the DALRRD.
• The DALRRD provided the following three email addresses for the submission of applications:
 
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19.04.2024 | DALRRD Media Statement

 
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MEDIA STATEMENT 10 APRIL 2024
 
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE INTRODUCES NEW DIRECTIVES FOR THE IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION OF LIVE ANIMALS
 
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) would like to alert importers and exporters of live animals about the newly introduced directive in respect to authorisation required for the purposes of importation and/or exportation of live animals.
 
The newly introduced directive is in line with the requirement for import authorisation for live animals in terms of the Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act No. 62 of 1998) (AIA) and it is aimed at intensifying compliance with Section 16 of the AIA. Authorisation for the importation and exportation of live animals and related genetic materials must be applied for in terms of the AIA.
 
This includes all existing veterinary import permits, which were issued prior 1 April 2024. In the case of new applications, the Animal Improvement Permit/authorisation must be applied for first, and the AIA Permit/authorisation must be attached to the application for the Veterinary Import Permit submitted to the department.
 
In the case of veterinary import permits issued prior 1 April 2024 under the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984), importers/exporters must please ensure that they include copies of the valid AIA permits.
 
Game and/or wild animals, as well as animals such as cats, birds and fish do not require an AIA Permit/authorisation for importation
 
Issued by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development:
• Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson: Mr Reggie Ngcobo, 066 298 0980 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Eviction Toll-free Number: 0800 007 095
 

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01) SAVA/KUSA Hip & Elbow Dysplasia Scheme

Posted in SAVA/KUSA HD & ED Scheme

Veterinary guidelines for hip and elbow certification

The SAVA together with KUSA runs a national hip/elbow dysplasia certifying scheme according to guidelines set up by the FCI and the International Elbow Working Group. 

The grading of a dogs hips and elbows according to international standards gives breeders an idea of the hip and elbow status of their dogs which should be considered when breeding these animals. Several dog breeds have specific minimum grading requirements before the dog or bitch may be bred.

The radiographs taken by your veterinarian are sent to a veterinary radiologist, one of a group, appointed by the SAVA. These are veterinarians who are recognised as specialist radiologists by the SA Veterinary Council and some of them are also recognised as specialists by the European Association of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging.  These radiologists give an opinion as individuals but an appeal process is in place for those owners who wish to do so.  KUSA will only accept HD & ED certificates from the members of the panel. The panel of radiologists appoints a chief scrutineer who acts as the liaison person between the radiologists, the SAVA and KUSA.

The criteria for making and submitting radiographs are very strict and are in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the international bodies.

Hip dysplasia examinations and radiographs are done from the age of 12 months except for large breeds. Large breeds must only be radiographed from the age of 18 months.

Breeds considered as large breeds are

  • Bullmastiff and other mastiff types
  • Great Dane
  • Newfoundland
  • Pyrenean Mountain Dog
  • Saint Bernard
  • Rottweilers are also considered as a large breed.

Elbow dysplasia radiographs can be done at the same time as Hip dysplasia radiographs, from the age of 12 months in all breeds except for the Rottweiler which should only be done from the age of 18 months.

Positive Identification

All examined dogs must be identified by means of a microchip.

All HD/ED radiographs must include the following in the metadata of digital images as permanent and accurate identification: microchip number, dog’s registered name, date of examination and name of Veterinary Clinic. Left and/or right markers must be included in the collimated area of the image.

Accuracy of results

Radiographs have to be of a satisfactory quality with the correct exposure and processing.

Views/Positioning for Radiography

For hip dysplasia X-rays, standard flexed and extended views are required.

For the extended view, the whole pelvis and the patellae must be included in the image. Positioning must be optimal with symmetry of the pelvis (equally sized obturator foramina and ilial wings). For large breeds, this usually requires a 30 X 40 cm film.

Also for the extended view, the femurs must be parallel to each other, the angle between the femoral necks and femoral shafts must be 135° and the patellae must be located cranially (dorsally) on the femurs.

For the flexed views, the femoral shafts should form an angle of 45° to the caudal lumbar vertebrae.

To achieve the above, general anaesthesia or deep sedation is required.

For elbow dysplasia radiographs, the following 2 views of the elbow, collimated to the elbow is required: - 100-120º ML-Extended view and Pronated CrCd view. The two views can be placed on one image/ cassette.

Digital image submission:

Once the radiographs have been taken, the veterinarian forwards them together with the application form including the signed declaration of the owner and veterinarian and copy of the dog’s registration certificate, to the scrutineer of choice with the applicable fee.

A CD with DICOM images can be submitted by post or courier. The CD must be clearly labelled providing the details of the patient. DICOM images may also be uploaded onto a Teleradiology server or using a large file transfer system. Please note that for digital submissions JPEG images are not acceptable. All requirements that apply to hard copy films, apply to digital submissions. No images will be accepted by e-mail.

Scrutineers send the results back to the veterinarian who in turn will inform the owner. The owner must contact the submitting veterinarian for the results, not the scrutineer. Requests for copies or amendments to certificates will carry an extra fee.

Radiographs that do not meet criteria will be returned to the referring veterinarian with an explanation as to the reason for the images being returned.  An administrative fee will be charged for the returning of radiographs.

Please note that the radiographs remain the property of the practice that made them and have to be kept by that practice for 3 years. Digital images are also kept by the veterinarian for 3 years.

Application Form

Click here to download a copy of the application form. The form can also be found on the SAVA website (http://www.sava.co.za/2015/10/15/hip-dysplasia/).

List of SAVA/KUSA HD & ED Scrutineers

Click here to view the list of SAVA & KUSA HD & ED Scrutineers

Appeals Process

The owner has the right to appeal the result of a HD or ED grade given by a scrutineer. A second opinion may only be attained if specific conditions are met. Click here to download the appeals procedure guidelines.