VN February 2023

Vetnews | February 2023 33 One example of this is the compulsory destruction of animals infected with certain controlled diseases, such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), in terms of the Animal Diseases Act Animal Diseases Act, No 35 of 1984. Poultry farmers who experience outbreaks of HPAI are legally obliged to destroy the infected and contact animals. However, they are often left waiting for weeks for the relevant environmental health authority to decide how they should deal with the carcasses. Protecting the environment is essential, but failing to act promptly and find acceptable solutions to these serious problems does not promote One Health. The failure to act fast is certainly not acceptable from a disease control point of view, not to mention the untenable situation it creates for the affected farmers. Currently, no legislation deals with the concept of One Health intrinsically. It means that everything relating to One Health is done voluntarily, depending on the willingness of key role players. It also means that important principles may be left unprotected. Future of One Health Legislation South Africa is not the only country without proper One Health legislation. Even on an international level, there is uncertainty and gaps in policy and law. That does not mean it should be ignored. Unfortunately, it means that there are currently not any great examples of legislation that we can use as models. However, One Health is very important for South Africa. Not least because of its role in food security but also because agriculture and tourism are important industries in South Africa. Naturally, we should also protect human health. The best way to achieve this would be to create functional, understandable legislation that is protective and beneficial to all aspects of One Health. If you have any questions in this regard, please feel free to contact me at trudie@legalvetservices.co.za . v Legal Mews