EFA Qld Update

What has Equestrian Queensland been doing lately?


It would appear evident that some of our horse community believes that EQ are not doing anything since the outbreak of EI, I would like to point out a few points on the front running work that the office is currently undertaking.

CHAPS

We in the office are looking after the Commercial Horse Assistance Payment (CHAPS), with over $1,200,000 already been distributed to eligible people in the non-racing sector. The criteria are below and if they want further information, it is on our website.

In some cases non registered sport horses will be able to access CHAPs if as at 25 August 2007, they are:
- broken in; and
- at least three years of age; and
- are under the primary care of a professional trainer or business with an ABN.

Applications will only be accepted from equestrian individuals or horse businesses that have an ABN or can show proof that they derive and declare an income from the horses submitted on the application

Equine Influenza Hardship Grant of up to $1,500

This grant program is being administrated by Qld Racing, however, our General Manager Rob Ferguson, is on the panel to ensure our members are fully represented.

The other grants available

Although we do not administer the following grants, the Equestrian Queensland has been handling a large number of enquiries regarding these grants.
Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment: Workers involved in commercial horse dependent industries who have lost their job or most of their income, and sole-traders whose incomes have effectively ceased (transport operators, riding coaches, farriers etc), will receive the equivalent of Newstart Allowance. Applicants will be subject to income testing, but no assets or activity tests. The estimated cost of these payments is $20 million; contact Centrelink on 13 1021 or visit http://www.centrelink.gov.au/
Equine Influenza Business Assistance Grant: $5000 will be available for businesses which derive the majority of their income from the commercial horse industry, and have experienced a significant downturn in income. The estimated cost of these grants is $45 million; contact Centrelink on 13 1021 or visit http://www.centrelink.gov.au/
Grants for non-government, not-for-profit equestrian organisations: Up to $200,000 will be available to equestrian organisations who have, in addition to the provision of voluntary services by their members or affiliates, incurred expenses directly related to the outbreak of Equine Influenza, and the resulting quarantine restrictions. This is completed by sending a submission to the Government.
Morgan Park – Warwick

Equestrian Queensland and EFA paid for manuals for those there to complete their horse management sections for the coaching or Equi skills course.
Equestrian Queensland and Brian Fitton organised chips, chocolates and alcohol to be given to Warwick to help them
Provided as much information as possible

DPI / Sport and Recreation Qld (SRQ) / Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) / Office of Premiers.

Rob Ferguson and I have been talking with numerous representatives of the relevant government departments including DPI, Sport and Recreation Qld and Office of Premiers as well as the Federal Department of DAFF. We have met on a regular basis, at least weekly to ensure our members are fully represented and all our members concerns and issues have been presented. The matters raised include vaccinations, movement, grants, equity and recovery.

Equine Industry Recovery Plan

This plan was written by Natalie Nichols and discussed with Rob and I on the 3rd September. Natalie is now hired by the DPI as a Consultant to implement this recovery plan.

Industry Wide Steering Committee

We realised that the non-racing sector is extremely fragmented and therefore difficult to get the one voice to government as Racing has done. Therefore with a great deal of work from several key people in the industry, an industry-wide Steering Committee was set up. Rob Ferguson chaired the initial meetings to get this Committee implemented.

The Steering Committee is now working through the priorities of the whole issues the Performance and Pleasure Industry has, including vaccinations, movement, financial assistance, recovery amongst other things. This Committee has the voice of the industry and is being heard by the government. Both Rob and I are involved in this Committee.

Vaccinations

We have been discussing the vaccinations with key DPI and Biosecurity Officials from the start.
The DPI’s strategy has been eradication rather than full vaccination.
There is not enough supply of vaccines in the world to do a full vaccination approach. South East Queensland would need 300,000 vaccines at a minimum to fully vaccinate.
A vaccination strategy is being developed by the Steering Committee and will be submitted to the government in the next couple of days.
We were originally provided with 100 vaccines for the State Squad horses, after negotiations we were given 600 vaccines.

Press releases and media

Since EI started I have sent out several press releases and answered a large number of enquiries from different media outlets.
Rob and I have conducted several interviews with radio stations and newspapers. Rob was interviewed by Channel 9 but unfortunately the interview was canned an hour before news time for a racing story.

Website and weekly e-news
I have been updating the website several times a day. All information has been up on the website – http://www.qld.equestrian.org.au/ for people to view.
Weekly e-news has also been going out with all the latest news.

There are the major things the office has been doing, as well as our normal duties - administration, organising awards and conference etc.

As you would imagine, the quantity of phone calls has been considerable over the past 9 weeks

But please be rest assured we are working for the members of Equestrian Queensland who are the EFAQ. We have been working from day 1 to ensure the concerns and issues of our members are heard by the government.

If you still feel that you are not being represented by the EFA please direct your concerns to EQ and we will provide you with the facts rather than some rumours that are out there.

Kind regards
Liz Buchanan