Animate Animal Health, a well-known South African supplier of high-quality in-feed additives for cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry, is pleased to announce that following a drawn-out court case aimed at one of its most popular products, Salbutamate 10%®, it has persevered. The case was dismissed with costs by the Gauteng Division of the High Court at the end of January.
The lawsuit was instigated by a group calling itself the Association of Concerned Professional Animal Consultants. Comprising three feedlot veterinarians and two feedlot animal nutritionists, the group belatedly challenged the registration of Salbutamate 10%® as a stock remedy in terms of Section 3 of the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act No 36 of 1947, on the alleged grounds that the Registrar of Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies failed to consider the application for registration properly and should not have granted the registration in 2014 or the renewal thereof in 2017.
The application was opposed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Registrar of Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies; as well as by Animate Animal Health (Pty) Ltd. “I suppose what is most disappointing is that pending the court case, we were made aware that this group was spreading rumours in the cattle and sheep feedlot industry, suggesting to role players that our product was to be deregistered, while at the same time trying to delay the enrolment of the matter to be heard in court. Fortunately, our excellent legal team managed to have the matter enrolled for hearing by the court after significant delays, exacerbated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are of the opinion that our entire team did an excellent job in presenting the case,” says Animate Animal Health Managing Director and Founder, Hugo Hattingh.
“We are delighted with the outcome as we have always strived to provide the highest quality in-feed solutions at competitive prices to the South African meat industry. This proves we have the superior product and that our well-earned reputation is deserved. Our good name is vindicated as a result of the ruling.”
Hattingh adds that Salbutamate 10%®, an in-feed additive for the red meat industry, has been endorsed by South African meat producers and key decision makers since its registration in 2014 for use in cattle, and has been used safely by major customers for many years. “Our loyal customers have stood by us this whole time, and for that we would like to thank them wholeheartedly.”
He said that Salbutamate 10%® has shown excellent results in pigs in the company’s clinical trials, which were conducted at the University of the Witwatersrand. The registration for pigs was obtained in October 2020 with a zero withdrawal.
“What this means is that the product is leaving hardly any residue in the meat, and is completely safe for human consumption, just as it is in the case of cattle and sheep.”
Hattingh added that Animate Animal Health is the sole supplier of the Biesterfield range of in-feed additive products to the South African intensive farming industry. These products from German-based Biesterfeld International GmbH (Biesterfeld) have always strived to make a real difference to the industry as a whole.
“More notable is that Biesterfeld is audited, and is certified by, amongst others, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) guidelines.
“This enables us to meet global quality standards and ensures excellent and consistent quality control throughout all of the products we provide. This includes the entire process, including research and development, and the manufacturing and supply of raw active materials and feed additive products. Each batch of product is manufactured to exact specifications that underscore the benchmark within our range of registered products.”
Salbutamate 10%® has also proved to be more successful and cost effective than other similar products on the market in South Africa. “We are confident that our product affords feedlots their desired outcome – more profitable meat production and safe usage, as well as delivering tender and tasty meat of exceptional quality to the consumer,” Hattingh concludes.
