Battle over EI hots up

Rod Nicholson November 25, 2007 12:00am

THE battle raging to prevent interstate yearlings from attending the Victorian Premier sale will come to a head tomorrow when William Inglis boss Mark Webster meets Racing Victoria chief executive Stephen Allanson.It is understood the Department of Primary Industries boss Hugh Millar is prepared to amend the protocols and restrictions to allow affected Equine Influenza yearlings to cross the border from the Hunter Valley to be sold at the sale, but only if they have been vaccinated.
But Victoria's Thoroughbred Breeders boss Mike Becker said the industry, Racing Minister Rob Hulls and the Agriculture Minister, along with harness racing officials and pleasure horse people, needed to act to prevent the risk.
"That should start with RVL tomorrow. The industry leaders need to weigh up the risks associated with the import of EI-affected yearlings and make a stand for the good of the Victorian thoroughbred industry," Becker said.
"To relax the restrictions is a massive risk. And to allow only vaccinated yearlings in makes no sense either - a vaccinated horse introduced the virus to Australia in the first place.
"Is the Victorian industry prepared to take that risk?
"This is not just about Victorian breeders. If the virus does hit, what happens to the autumn carnival, the Inter Dominion or preparations for the Olympic equestrians?
"I believe it would be a disaster for Victoria and all for the sake of having some yearlings at our sale when NSW has the ability to stage as many sales as it likes in its own backyard."
Becker said the Premier sale would succeed as a Victorian-only venture because buyers were keen on EI-free yearlings by EI-free stallions out of EI-free mares.
"Will the DPI, or Racing Victoria or the Victorian government accept full responsibility for an outbreak of EI if it arrives because of the yearlings crossing the border," he said.
"This is a genuine risk and, for the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would even consider it, let alone approve it."
Becker said nobody should underestimate the devastating effects of an EI outbreak.
"It has cost between $500 and $600 million in NSW and Queensland, and it would be similar here," he said.
"People must understand if EI is detected here, it will mean an automatic standstill of all horses -- including those vaccinated - throughout the whole state for between three and six months."