Resuming competition

In NSW competitions are now allowed as follows:
In the purple zone - currently no restriction on holding events. However, the difficulty is that horses previously infected may not yet be fit to compete. Owners with horses not infected are unwilling to move their horses to avoid getting infected. Therefore there are no competitions being held. EFA and NSW DPI are working to vaccinate uninfected horses in the purple zone but this might take 6 weeks. Veterinary staffing appears to be the limiting factor coupled with the biosecurity and microchipping requirements. Once EI is stopped in the purple zone it will be feasible to plan competitions. My guess is that this will be sometime in February.

Red and amber zones - competitions not allowed at present but red zones are being progressively cleared. Many should be green by the end of the year given the current rate of progress.

Green zone - competitions allowed but horse movements must be recorded by Travelling Horse Statements and events must be registered - both on the NSW DPI website.

If we continue the current progress against EI, NSW will become just 2 zones - purple and green. To return to free movement for competition there are plans to allow movements across the purple / green boundary by horses proven to be immune to EI - that is vaccinated or immune after infection. These horses will require a veterinary certificate stating vaccination history or laboratory test proving immunity.

If we eradicate EI according to plan, these certificates might only be required for the first half of 2008. If EI becomes endemic we will be required to have this certification for ever.


Rod HoareAHIC Board member