Victoria open as EI protocols relax

HORSE movement into Victoria will be relaxed as early as Tuesday as new equine influenza protocols are announced by the Department of Primary Industry.
For the first time since the outbreak of EI four months ago, horses from New South Wales and Queensland will be allowed to enter Victoria. Victoria was a no-go zone for horses from both states since EI crippled the NSW and Queensland racing industries. Horses coming to Victoria will have to be quarantined at "isolation farms" or at Sandown Quarantine Centre. The length of quarantine will depend on which designated zone - green, purple or red - horses are coming from. It's understood the Werribee Equestrian Centre has been identified as an isolation farm. Quarantine periods will vary from three to 14 days on either side of the Victorian border. What will also determine the quarantine period is whether a horse has contracted EI or whether it's been vaccinated. Dr Hugh Millar, head of the Victorian DPI, is due to meet Racing Victoria Ltd chief executive Stephen Allanson, racing manager Leigh Jordon, veterinary director Dr John McCaffrey and other officials on Tuesday. Dr Millar will outline the procedures involved as well as what bio-security measures need to be adopted. The new protocols cater for horses being transported to yearling sales, an influx of horses for the autumn carnival and those horses that have been stranded in NSW and Queensland. The DPI will control those horses heading to isolation farms, while RVL's only charter will be autumn carnival-bound horses, who will serve 14 days quarantine at the Sandown Quarantine Centre. Interstate trainers will need to inform RVL of the horses they intend to run at the late summer/autumn carnival, which officially begins with the Group I Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 2. It's understood horses will be taken in batches to alleviate potential logistical problems.