NSW Ag Shows - 10th Decmeber 2007

EI Guidelines for Shows(updated 10 December)
Recommendations for Agricultural Shows’ horse events
Information from Chief Veterinary Officer Mr Bruce Christie as at 4th December 2007.
1. Expressed concern at the high risk of running events with hundreds of horses eg. Shows, and only encouraging necessary events.
2. Recommends not running events until the Purple Zone has been eradicated with the exception of controlled events where there are pre entry requirements for limited numbers of invited horses.
3. Information from ASC insurers is that in the case of an EI lockdown the Show Society may be responsible for all costs.
4. ASC recommends that Show Societies prepare a full schedule but be prepared to withdraw the Horse Section from the Show.
5. Show Societies must be aware that information from DPI is changing daily
6. Irrespective of information on DPI website, the ASC is recommending not holding full Horse schedule Shows until further notice.
7. With ongoing biosecurity and vaccination, the DPI believes that EI can be eradicated from Australia by the end of May.
8. ASC requests any Show Society intending to run horse events must notify the ASC office.
The above recommendations are created by the very high risk of spreading EI caused by the movement and cross-zone movement of horses, humans, dogs and other means of spreading EI. The very nature of Agricultural Shows as a forum and gathering of large numbers of people and animals multiplies the risk of bringing horses into an EI possible contamination area. http://www.agshowsnsw.org.au/