15 July 2026: Import of live equines from South Africa
Updated 16 July 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-veterinary-surgeon-ovs-notes/15-july-2026-import-of-live-equines-from-south-africa
OVS note number: 2026/33
Date: 15 July 2026
Purpose
To inform you that the direct import of registered horses from the approved vector-protected quarantine station in Cape Town is now permitted. This is following completion of Defra’s assessment of the African horse sickness (AHS) control measures in place within South Africa’s controlled AHS zone, in particular, the AHS free zone (ZA-1).
Background
The Republic of South Africa submitted a request to Defra in January 2021 to consider reopening the export of registered horses from the approved export quarantine facility in the AHS free zone.
The direct import of registered horses from the approved vector-protected quarantine station in Cape Town is now permitted. This is following completion of Defra’s assessment of the AHS control measures in place within South Africa’s controlled AHS zone, in particular, the AHS free zone (ZA-1).
The UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance updated its Equidae list on 15 July 2026. They added an ‘X’ to the entry relating to imports of registered horses (ImpRH) from the approved export vector-protected quarantine station in Cape Town (territory ZA-1).
Note that imports are only permitted where all relevant UK import conditions are met, including the requirements of the export certificate for the specific sanitary group F.
Contact point for enquiries
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk
Imports and EU Trade Team