Question NW1181 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
29 April 2022 - NW1181
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What are the reasons that the SA Veterinary Council is against the training of farmers to do artificial insemination on horses?
Reply:
Artificial insemination in horses is a procedure that requires thorough knowledge of the structure and functions of all reproductive organs of a horse. Even thoroughly trained equine specialists need to exercise extreme care when undertaking this procedure with specialised instruments due to the fact that the tissues in and around the area operated on are susceptible to tearing. The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) is against training of farmers due to the concern that insufficiently trained person(s) may likely cause tearing of the rectal tissues causing unnecessary complications and suffering to the animals.