100 metre horse exclusion zone at Werribee?? Is this a joke?

A portion of Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre has been leased for November
and December by the Victorian Government for use as a quarantine site.

The Premier John Brumby has announced that a quarantine site has been established at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre which is expected to stable up to 50 horses at a time.

Under nationally agreed, new quarantine rules, horses from non-equine-influenza zones interstate must spend at least two weeks in quarantine before coming to Victoria, followed by a further two weeks in quarantine in Victoria.

“Victorian horses stranded in NSW by the equine influenza outbreak will be given priority at the Werribee quarantine site, with interstate horses wanting to compete in Victorian races to follow,” Mr Brumby said.

The quarantine area within WPNEC will be fenced and will have a 100 metre horse exclusion zone around its perimeter. The quarantine area is essentially the stables and area on the left hand side of the internal asphalt roadway. The horse exclusion zone encompasses the indoor arena’s and to the edge of the dressage arena’s.

During November and December a small number of scheduled EFA activities will still occur on the jumping areas and scheduled Polo activities will go ahead. These activities are conducted under rigorous biosecurity controls developed in conjunction with the Department of Primary Industries - Victoria. No additional equestrian activities will be scheduled during November or December.

The existence of the quarantine centre and the 100 metre horse exclusion zone will have no effect at all on human access to the Centre, to the EFA offices or to any other tenant of the Centre.

The Centre continues to be used and to be available for use for non-equine purposes during November and December.


IS THIS A JOKE? 100m horse exclusion zone, excuse me if my horse sneezes!

Katie, Vic.