DEMOCRATS CANDIDATE SLATES NSW EQUINE FLU VACCINE SHUT-OUT

20 November 2007
Lyn Shumack, the Australian Democrats Senate candidate for NSW, has described as an "ethical scandal" reports that hundreds of NSW recreational and show horse owners are still unable to obtain flu vaccine for their animals.

"They deserve better attention than this. The flu crisis has been going on since early September, and it is time these owners were relieved of the constant fear for their animals' lives," Ms Shumack said.
"Recreational and show horses constitute 80 percent of the estimated 33,000 horse population in this state, yet the flu vaccines are just not available for them. Many of them say they'd be willing to pay for the treatment themselves -- which works out at two flu shots at $300 a shot -- if they could actually get their hands on the vaccine.
"It appears that the much-publicised Federal and State government rush to contain the equine flu crisis has focused on the rich racing, breeding and harness industry -- the standardbred and thoroughbred horses. The far bigger recreational and show population has been virtually left to fight the epidemic with no vaccines at all.
"And it's not because the government's supply of vaccines has run out. The Federal Government announced on October 17 that it would have enough doses to be able to vaccinate 300,000 horses in NSW and Queensland by the end of the year if need be.
"If that's true, why are many private vets and horse owners in this state unable to get the vaccines now?"
Ms Shumack said the decision to prop up the racing industry first raises a critical animal rights issue too. "It goes against all codes of practice on animal care to provide effective treatment for one relatively elite profit-making group at the expense of all others.
"The Australian Democrats would support any move by the recreational horse owners, and their industry voice, the Australian Horse Industry Council, to mount a sustained lobby for the release of enough vaccines to treat all horses in NSW, not just the racing breeds.
"It's clear that industry profit has prevailed over the plight of hundreds of families whose horses are beloved show steeds and pets and face the same risk of sickness and death as the racing thoroughbreds. "
"Our Australian Democrats Lower House candidate for Macarthur, Samantha Elliott-Halls, has been told of families staying awake night after night, maintaining a helpless vigil over their sick animals."