DPI must decide this week whether to bow to pressure from Hunter Valley breeders

Sales season poses great risk of EI spread

Matt Stewart
November 19, 2007 12:00am

THE spring carnival is over but equine influenza is still here, writes Matt Stewart.Complacency is now the biggest risk with this lingering threat.
The impending yearling sale season, which has been reshuffled because of EI but will still go on, poses a far greater risk of the disease spreading than the more high-profile racing season.
The Victorian Department Of Primary Industries must make a huge decision this week on interstate representation at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale in March.
Remember, Victoria is EI free. Much of New South Wales and southern Queensland isn't.
The painfully long-winded inoculation process is under way but will not protect the entire thoroughbred population at least until May.
Its effect on foals, mares and racehorses will not be fully known for at least three years.
While EI has generally been portrayed as low impact -- lethargy, snotty nose, over it in three weeks -- many horses, particularly foals, have become extremely ill in the Hunter Valley and other areas.
There have been casualties.
The spring carnival survived but the need to keep EI out of Victoria is as desperate now as it was before September.
Horses bred interstate, particularly in the EI-ravaged Hunter, represent almost half the proposed 600-strong catalogue of yearlings.
Yearlings bred in the Hunter, particularly by major farms such as Arrowfield and Coolmore, are generally at the top end of the Melbourne sale.
From a strictly commercial point of view, William Inglis and Son would be desperate to have these yearlings in Melbourne in March.
The DPI must decide this week whether to bow to pressure from Hunter Valley breeders, relax the EI protocols, and allow NSW and Queensland yearlings to travel.
William Inglis and Son must print its catalogue this week.
Inglis says it will agree with whatever strategy is outlined by the DPI -- it has no choice -- but hopes, of course, for a relaxation.
Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria president Mike Becker hopes the DPI does not take its eye off the ball just because the racing season survived.
"That's my fear. The mingling of sellers, buyers, breeders and horses who have come from EI areas means the yearling sale would be a very dangerous place for the spread of EI," Becker said.
"It has had a devastating impact interstate. There is a massive risk of spread via yearling sales. Even if the horses don't come, the risk of spread through people at the sales, given their movement on farms etc, would be enormous."
Becker said the sensible solution was that NSW yearlings being prepared for Melbourne should instead be tacked on to one of the upcoming NSW sales.
Inglis spokesman Peter Heagney said the Oaklands Junction sale venue would be subject to strict EI protocols. Still, you hope officials are as gung-ho about EI now the racing is over and the spotlight has shifted. Time will tell