New horse flu rules a boost for Inter Dominion

RULES for moving horses to Victoria from the equine influenza-affected states of Queensland and New South Wales will be announced early next week.

Victoria's chief veterinary officer Hugh Millar said, after numerous phone link-ups yesterday, that talks were progressing well, but he warned the protocols would "not be everybody's cup of tea".
Horse movement to Victoria is crucial to the success of harness racing's Inter Dominion series in February, but Victorian thoroughbred groups fear the rules are being introduced too soon.
Millar said talks would continue for the rest of the week.
"I'm feeling good about the talks but the devil is in the detail," he said.
"There is a chance we will have something concrete to announce by the end of the week. If not, it will be the start of next week.
"These protocols for health and quarantine allow all types of horses to travel from the affected areas of Queensland and NSW.
"We're down to hammering out all the details now . . . how many days quarantine here, there and all the rest."

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