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:

 

 

 

 

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