No control over stallion access: inquiry

There was virtually no control over how many people could access shuttle stallions when they arrived at Sydney airport, the inquiry into equine influenza has been told.

The veterinary officer in charge of the offloading of the horses from the air stalls and subsequent loading onto trucks for transportation to the Eastern Creek quarantine centre said his authority extended only to the corral area where he was stationed.

Dr Yan Hee Song said owners and other parties may have boarded the aircraft outside the corral in the company of the import agents, with visitors' passes obtained at the gate on production of drivers' licences.

"My role is in the movement of horses within the corral," Dr Yan said.

"I am in charge of the horses in that area. I am aware there were people inside the airport but not aware where they came from or whether they had been on the aircraft."

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