Adrian Todd now expects South Africa to be able to export horses direct to Europe – without having to go via Mauritius – in either September or October.

This follows the official confirmation from the European Union that its bloodstock protocol audit will take place between April 20 and May 1.

Todd, managing director of SA Equine Health & Protocols, said yesterday: “Audits in any sector seldom return flawless results and nobody ever gets a 100% clear report. There will be additional recommendations from the EU team after the audit; they will send a report and we will implement what they suggest but I am confident that the audit will be successful and I would expect that, once any additional recommendations have been implemented, we should be looking at the reinstatement of direct exports to the EU by September/October.”

By Michael Clower