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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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4. Regulations - Alert Level 1 - Disaster Management Act

Posted in COVID-19 AND KUSA EVENTS

Regulations for Adjusted Alert Level 1 during COVID-19 lockdown, issued under the Disaster Management Act, No. 57 of 2002 

With dog shows proceeding under Adjusted Alert Level 1, it is necessary for the Kennel Union to bring the following to the attention of all those hosting and organising dog shows, and those contemplating attending them:

The Regulations issued in terms of the Disaster Management Act for Adjusted Alert Level 1 provide, inter alia, as follows in respect of “social gatherings”, provisions which also cover KUSA-licensed dog shows:

  • The owner or operator of the facility where the gathering is held must display a “certificate of occupancy” which states the maximum number of people the facility may hold, i.e. 2000. [Regulation 36(2)]
  • Failure to display a “certificate of occupancy” renders the owner or operator of the facility liable to a fine or six months’ imprisonment, or [Regulation 36(3)]
  • The convener of a gathering must ensure the limitation of 2000 persons at an outdoor facility is [Regulation 36(5)]
  • Failure to comply with the 2000 persons limitation constitutes an offence on the part of the convener which, upon conviction, renders him/her liable to a fine or six months’ imprisonment, or [Regulation 36(6)]
  • Any person attending a gathering who knows, or ought reasonably to have known or suspected, that the number of people will exceed the 2000-persons limit, will be guilty of an offence and, upon conviction, be liable to a fine or six months’ imprisonment, or both. [Regulation 36(7)]
  • In happening upon a gathering exceeding 2000 people, an enforcement officer must order the assembled to disperse immediately. Any persons refusing to disperse may face arrest and detention under the Criminal Procedure Act, 51 of 1977. [Regulation 36(14)]

It is important for all those involved in the hosting and organisation of dog shows to be aware that KUSA’s Public Liability Insurance only covers KUSA-licensed events insofar as they are “legal” under prevailing national laws. In consequence, owners and operators of venues, as well as conveners of dog shows, are hereby advised that KUSA accepts neither responsibility, nor liability, vicarious or otherwise, for shows at which the legislated limits for gatherings are not strictly observed.

Any transgression in the upholding of the legislated limitation of a gathering shall automatically invalidate the licence KUSA had issued for the show. Should any liability arise from a show at which the authorised size of the gathering had been exceeded, such liability shall fall to the owner or operator of the facility, or the convener of such unlawful gathering, as the case may be.

Pascale Midgley

General Manager

The Kennel Union of Southern Africa

01.10.2021