More time before NSW horses can move to Vic

The Victorian Department of Primary Industries says it is likely to be another two months before there is any normal movement of horses into Victoria from New South Wales zones free of equine influenza (EI).

Harness racing trainers have been unable to race about 30 horses based in southern New South Wales since August when EI broke out in the Sydney area.

Victoria's chief veterinarian, Hugh Millar, says only a limited number of trainers and owners are likely to be able to make use of new protocols for quarantining of horses at designated facilities in NSW then Victoria.
"I'd have to say there is certainly good prospects that by the new year we'll have these risks very well defined, I believe," he said.

"I guess it's like the recreational industry where we've been saying, 'look plan for the new year because there's every chance things will be way improved by then'."