Representation to Federal Member of Parliament

On 8th October 2007 Horse Deals sent a letter to Federal Member for Barker, Patrick Secker regarding Equine Influenza. Patrick Secker's office forwarded this representation to the Hon. Peter McGauran MP, Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry.

Horse Deals recently received a response from the department. This response is available here as a downloadable PDF document.

The original letter sent from Horse Deals primarily requested information on the following points:

"We write to you on behalf of this readership aiming to:

• Ascertain how race meets are permitted to continue, thus increasing the risk of the spread when smaller events, even in non affected areas have been stopped.

• Have the Equine Industry represented and recognised as a whole, not segregated into recreation and race.

• Prompt consideration of a National Strategy whereby DPI agencies work together to contain/control the outbreak and decisions are made at a Federal level for the wellbeing of ALL voters.

• Gain recognition from our Government that this outbreak is crippling more than just the racing industry and, where possible, have this reflected in media releases/reports. Many stakeholders in the recreational industry feel forgotten due to the lack of acknowledgement by the Government and mainstream media and therefore feel their Government is not willing to assist them to the same extent as the racing industry.

• Receive confirmation as to who allocates the vaccination and why/how it is more justified for the racing industry when other voters are also being forced to stop their businesses and subsequently lose considerable income and important qualification events.

• Demonstrate the hardship and possible loss of livelihood that is imminent for many voters who derive the majority of their income from horse related services/products (this extends far beyond the racing industry)."

Read the response here as a downloadable PDF document.