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Wednesday 26 December 2007

Horse events allowed at Sydney's Easter show

The announcement comes just three weeks after the Royal Agricultural Society announced the events would be cancelled because of uncertainty over equine influenza.
But Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald says strict biosecurity measures will lower the number of horses which can compete.
"I understand that this is maybe 500 or 600 horses less than the optimum situation which has occurred in the past," he said.
"But given the circumstances, we believe that this is a containable number in terms of any spread of equine influenza.
"So we are taking a cautious approach, but at the same time ensuring that there is competition conducted at the Royal Easter Show."
Mr Macdonald says he believes that horse owners will be keen to compete in the show despite the biosecurity measures.
He says there is now initial agreement on a new cautious but workable system.
"At a minimum they'll have to be vaccinated, as well as tested," he said.
"We will work out the final details of the protocols over the next week."
Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) spokesman Rob Vickery says a rearrangement of events will cut the number of competing horses by about 500.
"It's a great relief to the RAS and our thanks to Minister Macdonald and the Department of Primary Industries for all the work that they've put in to get us this far," he said.
The Equestrian Federation says it hopes the protocols will be a blueprint for running more competitions.

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