CURTAIL EQUINE INFLUENZA NOW OR FACE THE COSTS

Equine influenza remains containable and eradicable, Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said today.
"And that has to continue to be our aim or the annual costs to industry would be enormous,' Mr Mulherin said.
Mr Mulherin said the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics estimated that the current direct costs resulting from the EI outbreak at about $3.94 million per day nationally.
As DPI&F ramped up its vaccination program and beefed up its buffers, Mr Mulherin said experts remained increasingly confident that under the current strategy the disease would burn itself out.
"Their optimism is inspired by the infection still being restricted within the South East Queensland Red Zone, as well as better availability of vaccine which will allow us to more aggressively contain the infection within the existing areas. The strategy is working.
"I know there are those who say the horse standstill is too difficult for many people and we should just stand back and let horse flu run its course.
"But if we let that happen, horse owners could face the recurrent costs of two or three injections per year.''

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Chief Veterinary Officer Ron Glanville said the Department had to look at the "big picture''.
"The decision to impose movement restrictions was not taken lightly.'' Dr Glanville said.
"After more than eight weeks, horse flu in Queensland is still restricted to the South East corner of the state - this is directly attributable to the tight horse movement restrictions, which help prevent any further spread.
"Horse owners in the Red Zone can apply for a movement permit in cases where a horse's life is at risk. However, this is considered on a case-by-case basis and we have a responsibility to minimise any movements of horses that may further spread the infection.
"These restrictions may be relaxed in December depending on the success of our vaccination program, but for the time being it is critical that people continue complying with the movement restrictions.
"The alternative is the cost and inconvenience of an annual vaccination program costing hundreds of dollars per horse, which is what horse owners in other countries go through."

As part of the containment and eradication strategy, DPI has now created an inner buffer zone on the Sunshine Coast north-west from Wild Horse Mountain forestry tower.
More inner buffer zones are planned through Crows Nest and Esk district, linking to the Sunshine Coast inner buffer as well as to the west of Toowoomba and Warwick.
Mr Mulherin also said today more than $80,000 in interest subsidy support has been approved for small businesses affected by EI as part of the Queensland Government's Commercial Horse Small Business Emergency Assistance Scheme.
Since the scheme was launched on September 28, 2007, the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority has received 40 applications from applicants operating in various industries.
Under the Scheme, eligible small businesses that derive the majority of their income from the commercial horse industry and have experienced a significant downturn in income as a result of the outbreak, are able to receive an interest subsidy payment of up to $5000 (up to a maximum of 50% of the interest payments) on new or existing loans to assist in meeting their operational and other essential costs.

Mr Mulherin said a wide variety of industry groups impacted by the influenza outbreak were eligible to receive the assistance and encourages affected businesses to apply.
"The assistance available as part of the Commercial Horse Small Business Emergency Assistance Scheme is not confined to businesses involved in the horse racing industry, but for all businesses that are directly impacted by the commercial horse industry," he said.
To be eligible for the subsidy support, applicants must own and operate a small business with less than 100 full time equivalent employees, have experienced a significant downturn in income as a result of the outbreak, derive the majority of business income from being part of the commercial horse industry, have been operating the business on August 25, 2007 and continue to operate the business.
Applications for support under the Scheme must be submitted to QRAA by March 31, 2008.
For further information about the scheme, as well as full details of the eligibility requirements, terms and conditions and application forms, contact QRAA on Freecall 1800 623 946 or visit the website at www.qraa.qld.gov.au.


Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
31/10/2007