EFA VICTORIA SHOW HORSE COMMITTEE

EFA VICTORIA SHOW HORSE COMMITTEE

Would like to announce the following events:

Unfortunately the EFA Australian Show Horse & Rider Championships is a casualty of the Equine Influenza crisis, but, look out for these great days for the show horse world.

1 December 2007 **Open Horse Show @ Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre

Junior and Rising Star events as well. Schedule available soon.

15-16 December 2007 EFA Victoria Show Riding Clinic & Christmas break up

Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre.

Co-ordinator Mark Jacobi naredinpark@hotmail.com. Or 52512084

Download application forms from www.efavic.com.au

26-27 January 2008 **Open Horse Show @ Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre.

Events for all. Schedule available soon.

Please note: The R. T. Edgar EFA Victoria Show Horse State Titles scheduled for 25-27 January 2008 have been POSTPONED to 12-14 September.

Please be familiar with the Dept Primary Industry regulations for running an Equestrian Event as you will be required to complete the necessary paperwork. You can download the information from www.efavic.com.au We must abide by these regulations and keep Victoria EI FREE!

Enquiries welcome to: Jan Smith, showhorse@efavic.com.au or 0417 527412. Schedules will be posted on the EFA website or mailed.

2008 VICTORIA SHOW HORSE STATE TITLES

R. T. EDGAR EFA
25-27 January 2008, WERRIBEE Victoria
POSTPONED (NOT CANCELLED)

The Organising Committee of the R. T. Edgar EFA Victoria Show Horse State Titles would like to announce that the 2008 event has been POSTPONED TO 12-14 SEPTEMBER 2008 due to the current Equine Influenza outbreak. This decision has been made as a contingency plan to cushion any possible problems that might crop up in the next two months due to the EI crisis.

Event Director and EFA Victoria Board member, Peter Gardiner, said that postponing the event would allow the committee more flexibility to cope with any developments. It will also position the Victorian qualifying show for the EFA Australian Show Horse & Rider Championships much closer to the event and also run at a time when horses are at the peak of condition being strategically placed between the Adelaide and Melbourne Royal Shows.

Leading real estate company and major sponsor R. T. Edgar is fully supportive of this decision and look forward to a great event in the Spring.

The Organising Committee thank everyone for their patience in awaiting this decision.

If you have any further queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me:
showhorse@efavic.com.au
Jan Smith
EFA Victoria Show Horse Coordinator

No plan for widespread vaccination.

I thought I'd bring up something that is possibaly the dumbest thing to have been done in relation to the plan to get rid of EI.

"There is no plan for widespread vaccination of horses in Australia while the eradication program is in progress."

Okay do I need to explain just how stupid that is? Has nobody told the "officals" we are forced to rely on during this crisis that if you do a widespread vaccination, eradication will happen quickly?

It seems as though the people in charge of vaccinations are either really stupid or on the pay-roll of some hot shot racing trainer. You see the thing that gets me is the racing world only want their horses vaccinated so they can compete - we want our horses vaccinated to protect their health.

Look at Makybe Diva - she has gone from being the Legendary Mare of Track to a money factory. Her little boy is only 7 weeks old and they already have her in foal again? While EI is running around the property she is kept on? It might be nothing for a millionaire to loose a foal but to the NON-RACING crowd - who work day-in, day-out just to be able to aford the ability to breed it's a huge lose. And i'm sure the Diva doesn't want to loose her little boy.

Bottom line is that if no one bets on the Melbourne Cup - they dont make any money! And as the Non-Racing world currently hates them for the special treament they are receiving it looks like it will be a fun time for them. If it happens that is.

Word directly from the VIC DPI (my family called them this afternoon) is that 297 properties in VIC with over 496 horses between them had been tested for EI as of 12.30pm today. Bet nobody knows about that little detail.

So to the Racing Industry I hope your happy - you get to run your precious race, Victorian horses now get to suffer.

Thanks a bloody lot!

Emma.

A positive note.

I came home yesterday to find a notice in my mailbox from Energex saying "Sorry, but we couldn't access your meter". I have some signs on my fence requesting authorized entry only so I was quite impressed that they actually took notice.

When I rang my service provider today, they advised me that the
Queensland DPI had instructed them not to enter any properties that had horses. They will be estimating meter readings until the crisis is over.

Whilst I'm upset about the EI situation just as much as the next person, more than a little frustrated with some of the problems andextremely concerned about my and my friends horses, I'm sure there are many other positive things being done. It would be nice to hear some of them

occasionally. Hint hint. :-)

Man facing charges over border breach

MELBOURNE, Oct 10 - A man is facing charges after allegedly moving a horse from Canberra to a property in Victoria, with officials saying he may also face charges from NSW Police.

The Victorian Department of Primary Industries today confirmed at least one horse has been transported across the New South Wales-Victorian border in the last week.

Police at Orbost were also called out last night to investigate reports of a utility and horse float crossing the border.

Victoria's chief veterinary officer Hugh Millar told ABC Radio that a number of border crossings have been investigated since the ban on horse movements was introduced after the outbreak of Equine Influenza.

"On nearly every occasion these turn out to be incidents with horse floats," he told ABC radio.

"Obviously it concerns me to insure that particularly with the disease still on the move in New South Wales we keep it well and truly out of Victoria," he said.

On September 17, a 21-year-old stockman at Dalby in Queensland was fined $4,500 for illegally moving horses. He was charged under the Exotic Diseases in Animals Act after moving two horses from a feedlot near Dalby on the Darling Downs to his home at nearby Bowenville, breaking the standstill in force across Queensland.

Caravan Of Courage Road Trip

It's deadline at Horse Deals and whilst most of us are slaving away to meet the print deadline 3 of our team members are hundreds of kilometres from Horse Deals, half way through the 'Hamish & Andy Caravan of Courage Road Trip'. Today Kirsty, Jaime and Trish touched based with the 'hard working ones' at Horse Deals to bring us up to speed on their current adventure.......

"Today we have just arrived at Bulahdelah about 50kms out of Taree. We were unsure just how big the town would be as when I went to book our camping site at the caravan park I was told by the owner operator 'yep you can have a spot just out in the paddock'. With heavy rain, storms and hail the 3 of us were a bit concerned our tent would be washed away 'out in the paddock' so we have decided to stay in style at the local motel. At the moment there are about 20 people on the 'Caravan of Courage' road trip, everyone is joining in and we are having an absolute blast.

On Wednesday we were to organise a bull ride for Andy, so Trish contacted rodeo stock contractor John Gill to see if he had a young steer we could use, Andy had psyched himself up and was ready but the only bulls were the experienced rodeo bulls and John said "if he wants to end up in hospital for the next 2 days he is welcome to try". So with a psyched up Andy, sanity prevailed and we put the bull ride on hold – well for now anyway!

So far we have travelled over 1,600kms, taking in the sights like the Ettamogah Pub (had one or two refreshment there), The Big Ram and the Dog on The Tucker Box, we aim to be in Brisbane on Sunday for Rove Live – we will call again next week and yes we promise we will be home in time to send the magazine to the printers on Wednesday."

Cheers from Jaime, Kirsty & Trish

THE RACE THAT STOPS THE NATION!!!!!!!

WHAT A JOKE, THE RACE THAT STOPS THE NATION...
WHAT ABOUT THE DISEASE THAT STOPPED THE NATION.....THINK ABOUT THAT ONE..WHO`S LOOKING AFTER WHO?

Who are we kidding?

Without exception the management of this E.I. outbreak is and has been a shambles from the start.

The Thoroughbred lobby has had much to much imput into the procedure of containment of this virus to the determent of every horse owner in NSW.

Instead of managing a sensible buffer zone with vaccinations from the onset,(please don't insult our intelligence by saying these weren't available) the NSW dpi preferred a CONTAINMENT procedure, now a total failure with horses and people suffering.

As of today, I am into my ninth day suffering the serious effects of E.I. I have sadly lost the life of one of my new born foals, another very ill.

For what? Just so the precious "CUP" can be run!!!!

My horses could have been protected with vaccinations.

Meanwhile E.I. marches on.

John Howard, Morris Iemma my memory is very long, I won't forget your total incompetence to the non-Thoroughbred owners.

- Carmen Bajpe

Caring for Horses with Equine Influenza

Follow this link for an up dated version of the NSW DPI publication.

Thanks for all your support Horse Deals

A response to All who read have to respond to this!

Paul

I can only assume that you are unaware how many foals and horses have died due to complications from the flu or are you a shock jock reporter ? I assume so because your story has no facts, just a lack of intelligent comments, Are you proud of yourself Paul and your career to date? Maybe it's time you "diversified" if this an example of the work you produce, you sound like a absolute fool.

I am not involved with the racing industry but appreciate that the shuttle station which has been held accountable for bringing EI to Australia was in quarantine and the blame lies entirely with the government quarantine measures.

My 20 year daughter has a show horse which to maintain and compete would cost $200+ a week and that is after the cost of buying the horse which was tens of thousands of dollars. Paul, before you jump to conclusions about her being born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she has worked from 14 years old to get this far and her first pony cost $300 which she then educated and sold it for $3,500 when she grew too big for the pony. Then reeducated other failed racehorses for showing, allowing her to purchase the stunning horse she now owns. The cost and time involved far outweighs any financial return so it's the pleasure of competing is often the only return. So Paul, open you eyes, have compassion for those who love their horses as family pets and don't be so harsh.

Again due to the demonstration of your lack of research in your story, I assume that you are not aware that the Australian Olympic competitors are unable to qualify at present so please be aware that your story is a slap in the face to a lot of people.

"Guess what fellas, with each new outbreak, you've really only got yourselves to blame. It might be a contagious disease but it doesn't spread by magic" No Paul, it's airborne but again your obvious laziness to research is demonstrated again.

You are an embarrassment to your profession, your attitude reeks of bitterness towards successful hard working people, try to be a professional Paul and guess what? I don't think that you would be missed if you had the flu!

FOR YOU PAUL, TO INFORM YOURSELF

E.I. information -another horse dies

Equine Influenza has claimed yet another horse's life. Yesterday, Oct. 9th., De-Sharvarll Arabians of Leichhardt Qld. had to have one of their most precious senior broodmares euthanized due to complications from E.I. infection. This has left her 6 day old foal orphaned and now fighting for survival with carers as well.

In spite of precautions all the horses at the Stud are infected with E.I. as are over 100 other horse owners and breeders in the Ipswich City area. We are told the flu virus is not lethal and that may well be, but to pregnant and/or foaling mares the complications from the severe wracking cough can cause intestinal and uterine torsion which is fatal. This mare was of pure Polish bloodlines and is irreplaceable for the Stud. Her loss is immeasurable in both emotional and economic costs. The foaling and breeding season at the Stud is compromised as stallions cannot be used, foals are at risk as are other senior horses no matter how healthy or in good condition they are. Official bodies dealing with this epidemic and the public need to be made cognizant of the fact that the biggest percentage of Australia's multi-billion $ Equine Industry is not the Racing sector. There are thousands of breeders and owners of horses other than Racing Thoroughbreds and we need equal recognition and reporting in this disaster that has been inflicted upon us.

Thank you.

Michael R. Semchison
M.Ed.St., Gr.Cert.Ed.[HE]
Equine Consultant
International Judge
DS Arabians

Regards

Amanda

P.S. PLEASE NOTE, PAUL HAS HAD SEVERAL HOURS TO RESPONSE TO THE EMAIL I SENT HIM DIRECTLY BUT HE HASN'T RESPONDED, WHAT A SURPRISE, ANOTHER DEMONSTATION OF HIS CHARACTER OR LACK OF IT!

Walbundrie horse flu test precautionary

Authorities are anxiously awaiting test results for equine flu on a horse at Walbundrie in the New South Wales southern Riverina (50km from Albury on the Vic/NSW Border), after a further outbreak of the flu in the region's north.

Two horses were confirmed with equine influenza at Gidginbung, north of Temora yesterday, resulting in a plans to further extend the red zone which is already around Barmedman.

Read more.

Horse Flu - Not JUST......

I’m not just a rich man’s trinket
to fulfill a greedy goal,
I am more – much more – to many.
I’m Australia’s heart and soul.

I’m companion, partner, soul mate;
I’m desires beyond just dreams.
I am overcoming hardships;
I’m life’s lessons in extremes.

Once my shoulders bore the burden
of the plough to plant the seed
that would grow the golden wheat fields
to fulfill this nation’s need.

And I laid the precious bore drains
giving lifeblood to this earth;
as I forged the great traditions
then, that gave this country birth.

I have borne your sons to battle,
heard their brief emblazoned cry,
seen the futile, reckless slaughter,
shared the mothers’ anguished “Why?”

I helped you tame this wilderness
- hauled, carted, did your will.
Used, abused and treated lightly,
yet I am your servant still.

I have brought you pride and glory
and a wealth you couldn’t measure.
and a heritage and history
in a partnership to treasure.

Every sport that you’ve invented,
(oft’ with consequences grim),
still I’ve jumped and turned and twisted
as I’ve met your every whim.

I have taught your children caring,
how to put another first,
to take the falls and try again
and cope with best and worst.

I’ve kept your daughters off the streets
and on the straight and narrow.
I’ve put my heart in all I’ve done
- and thrilled you to the marrow.

And yet you turn your back on me
in this - my hour of need.
All you think of is your losses
in your all-consuming greed.

Won’t you listen to my pleadings
for the horseman of this land?
This will change their life forever.
Won’t you try to understand?

For E.I.’s the nine eleven
that will change life as we know it.
The effects are catastrophic,
though the media don’t show it.

There are hordes of Aussie battlers
who’ll go under in this strife
and they’ll lose much more than money.
They will lose their way of life.

I am what makes life worth living.
I’m their every waking thought.
I am what they go without for
and that just can not be bought.

Whether hobby, sport or business,
through the fires and drought and flood,
I’m the way of life they’ve chosen
that is deep within their blood.

We have known the devastation
when a farmer loses all.
Horsemen follow in their footsteps
with their backs close to the wall.

There’s a rumbling now, of anger –
and horse people are not meek.
Will they sink in deep depression?
Will they turn the other cheek?

You have caused this thing to happen,
cutting corners with your greed.
Quarantine laws bent to suit you,
consequences guaranteed.

And so now, I pay the price
for your decisions made in haste.
Yet again I am surrounded
by the suffering and the waste.

Once more greed clouds your judgement,
with your selfish ‘purple zone’,
throwing caution to the winds with
your indulgence overblown.

Do you care about us really?
Now that pride’s before the fall?
Do you really want to help this?
Or do dollars say it all?

We can’t stop this raging virus;
all we ask is justice metered.
Let not the vested interests
dictate how this should be treated.

Demand consideration for
the Racehorse AND the scrubber.
Vet. treatment shouldn’t be denied
a much loved Pony Clubber.

I sympathise with milliners,
and with trainers. Yes, I’m trying.
But it pales in insignificance
when cherished friend is dying.

No, I’m not just a rich man’s trinket
to fulfill a selfish goal.
I am Horse. I am your brother.
I’m Australia’s heart and soul.

copyright to Carol Heuchan 07
www.carolpoet.com.au

Horse flu results not clear for a week

Tasmania's Department of Primary Industries says it will be another week before it's known whether equine influenza has entered the state.

The Department has received test results from Victoria for a horse in the state's north-west which has flu symptoms.

The Manager of BioSecurity, Alex Schaap, has told ABC Radio the results came back negative, contradicting the Department's positive result.

"We now need to go through a process of working through repeat testing, taking of further samples," Mr Schaap said.

"Perhaps even some sequencing work to see if we can determine a categorical result," he said.

Counselling Services

The impacts of Equine Influenza will affect different people in different ways. There are a number of services who offer a wide range of support services.

Lifeline counsellors offer support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from anywhere in Australia. Phone Lifeline on 13 11 14

Salvation Army offers counselling, referral, and limited household financial assistance in emergencey situations. Phone the Salvo Care Line Counselling Service 1300 363 622

Anglicare offers various forms of physical, emotional, social and spiritual support. Phone (02) 9895 8000 during business hours to find out where you can access futher assistance

St Vincent De Paul offers personal support, advocacy, food, clothing and some financial assistance. Phone (02) 9560 8666 or visit www.vinnies.org.au

Centrelink social workers can help you when you are facing difficulties or experiencing an unexpected change in your personal and/or family circumstances. Phone 13 10 21 and ask to be connected to a call centre social worker

"Where are we with Equine Influenza".

Last night ABC Radio National conducted a program called "Australia Talks", subject "Where are we with Equine Influenza". People were able to ring into the programme to have their say.

Equine Influenza outbreak
As the equine influenza crisis worsens, and the prestigious Spring Racing Carnival looms, where are we at with combating the disease? How has the crisis been managed ... and what effect is it having on those in various horse - related industries?

Click here to listen to the program.

Listen online or download podcast

http://abc.net.au/rn/australiatalks/stories/2007/2056728.htm

Guests

Dr Cameron Collins
Secretary of Equine Veterinarians Australia.

Andrew Harding
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Racing Board.

Greg Bennett
Owner, Greg Bennett Horse Running and the man credited with teaching Makybe Diva, the triple Melbourne Cup winner, how to run.

Register your horse for vaccination (NSW Buffer Zones only)

Buffer zones have been declared in several parts of New South Wales as a way of containing equine influenza.

To create an effective buffer, all horses within the zone need to be vaccinated. These vaccinations are being coordinated by local vaccination centres within the Buffer Zone area.

Many horse owners in these zones have already been contacted by NSW DPI survey teams, by other departmental staff, or by the State Emergency Service, to organise vaccination. If you believe your horse/s are in a Buffer Zone, and you haven't been contacted yet, let us know.

You can check if your horses need to be vaccinated by:

• checking your horse/s location against the areas declared as buffer zones,
• ringing the Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, or
• completing in the vaccination enquiry form [PDF] and sending it to your local vaccination centre.

Fax numbers and phone numbers for the local vaccination centres are listed on the following website.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/horse/influenza/guidelines/vaccination/centres

LOCAL VACCINATION CENTRE LOCATIONS

Armidale
Berry
Dubbo
Forbes / Parkes
Gloucester
Gunnedah
Mittagong
Mudgee
Wellington
Woodenbong
Temora

IDENTIFY EI UNAFFECTED HORSES

NSW DPI REQUEST TO IDENTIFY EI UNAFFECTED HORSES IN PURPLE AND RED
ZONES

The NSW DPI has requested assistance from AHIC in identifying horses
currently unaffected by the EI virus in the Purple and Red Zones in
NSW. It is proposed that identifying and vaccinating horses within
these zones will assist with the containment strategy.

If you currently reside in the Purple or Red Zone in NSW and your
horse has not been affected by EI, please complete the survey and
return to AHIC by Tuesday 16 October 2007. AHIC will collate the
survey responses and provide to NSW DPI. Your assistance in
completing the survey is appreciated.

http://www.surveymaster.com/AHIC/Q1.asp

Current situation in Tasmania

Situation report – as at 12.30 pm on Friday 12 October


A horse in the North West is highly suspect for equine influenza. The first round of lab test results have been inconclusive – 2 positive results and 2 negatives. Fresh samples are being taken from the horse today and further lab tests will be done.

In the meantime, we are contacting the owners of all horses that have had contact with the suspect horse recently. If this is equine influenza, we would expect some of these other horses to be showing signs of the disease by now.

As a precaution, the horse standstill was reinstated at 17.30 hrs on Thursday 11 October. This means that all horses throughout Tasmania must remain on their current properties until further notice. Tasmania Police are out on the roads enforcing the standstill. We are aware that the standstill will cause some difficulties for horse owners, but it is absolutely necessary at this stage. We will ease it as soon as we can do so safely.

Qld Shires in the red zone FYI

***CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE***






Shires in the red zone (Note: Kilkivan, Tara and Nanango are three new shires included in this zone)
* Beaudesert
* Boonah
* Brisbane
* Caboolture
* Caloundra
* Cambooya
* Clifton
* Cooloola
* Crows Nest
* Dalby
* Esk
* Gatton
* Gold Coast
* Goondiwindi Town
* Inglewood
* Ipswich
* Jondaryan
* Kilcoy
* KilkivanNew
* Laidley
* Logan
* Maroochy
* Millmerran
* NanangoNew
* Noosa
* Pine Rivers
* Pittsworth
* Redcliffe
* Redland
* Rosalie
* Stanthorpe
* TaraNew
* Toowoomba
* Waggamba
* Wambo
* Warwick

Class action success is long odds: Lawyers

SYDNEY - Legal action against the Federal Government for economic losses incurred as a result of the Equine Influenza (EI) outbreak may be futile because of a little-known clause in the Quarantine Act that effectively indemnifies the Government from such action.

A report in today’s Financial Review newspaper says doubts over whether a class action would be worthwhile arise because of the clause that shields government officials from liability over “any action, suit or other civil proceeding” arising from their duties.

Section 82 of the Quarantine Act protects the responsible minister, director of quarantine and officers from legal actions for “anything done or omitted to be done in good faith (whether negligently or not”, the report says.

Read more.

We’re Over The Moon.

12th October.

Horse Deals received a call from Parkes detainee, Nerida Corbett, this morning to tell us that they “were over the moon”, as at last they had their permits to leave, after almost seven weeks of detention. “They were promised for yesterday and we would have had their guts for garters, if they had not arrived today. Greg Glasgow from the DPI, who has been fantastic, brought them to us at 7.30am this morning. All the DPI people have been good, but Greg has worked really hard for us.

“We have been decontaminating for a week now and just have feed bins and water buckets to go before we can leave. We are going to have a farewell barbeque tonight, so that everyone can celebrate. We do not want to risk too much celebration the night before we leave.

“Everyone has been given the routes for the trip home which will take them through Amber and Green Zones, but no Red Zones. For some it is the long way around, but they don’t mind, they are just so happy to be going home.

Vaccination

Thankyou for the updates on this EI outbreak in Australia, however I wish that the powers that be would make themselves aware of the report from Denis Goulding , the Olympic Team Vet. and abide by this.

(Report page 9/10 blogspot). The fact that it has now travelled to Tasmania should make it mandatory for vaccination so let's get on with our lives and accept the fact that it is out of control.

We are not immune despite quarantine, buffer zones, regardless of the colours, and there is always a case that the residual effects could affect competitive performances and general wellbeing of the horses.

Jenny

DPI QLD

Friday 12 October: There are 1,014 infected properties (IP's) in Queensland an increase of 67 from yesterday. The recognised infected area now covers 2,354 sq km.

Horse from Smithton has returned a positive result.

A recreational horse from Smithton has returned a positive result in preliminary tests for EI and a lockdown order has been issued on all horses in the state by the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment.

If the tests are confirmed today, thoroughbred and harness racing will be cancelled indefinitely.

The horse involved is understood to have travelled around the state for horse shows. It is now in isolation.

Trainers warned an indefinite ban could cripple the industry for the next 12 months.

The preliminary tests were done at the DPIW's Mt Pleasant laboratories.
Samples have been dispatched to Australian Animal Health Laboratories at Geelong and an initial test has come back negative.

DPIW general manager of biosecurity and product integrity Alex Schaap said all horses must remain on their properties until further notice.

Read more.

Vet says quicker horse flu spread may end outbreak sooner.

A New South Wales Hunter region vet says an expansion of the purple zone to include all of the Hunter will see the equine influenza virus spread more quickly through the region.

The State Government has announced changes to the colour-coded zoning system, which will free up horse movement for thousands of owners and breeders.

The purple zone has been expanded to now include Maitland in the Hunter region, Camden and Tamworth.

Maitland district vet Digby Raywood says encouraging the spread of the flu might bring an end to the outbreak sooner.
"That's one of the key things," he said.

"We and the experts have been encouraging that because we haven't been able to stop the virus.

"They are saying if you have a quicker spread of the virus you have a less chance of a continuation of the virus.

"Certainly it will spread quicker and hopefully have a chance to burn out quicker, which is what we've been asking for for ages."

The EI Circus

This is a Circus, the only difference is that we have the "clowns" running it & not a "Ring master".

When will they (NSWDPI) realise that they ARE NOT containing this, and that they need to take the colouring pencils off the "children" and start looking at really controlling this by effectively putting in place a proper and total lock down of the state.

All the new zoning i.e. the increasing of the purple zone, which if I'm not mistaken was "supposed" to end on the 19th of this month (but obviously that's not happening now), will do is aid in the outward spread of the virus. I have a horse that was stuck at Tamworth in a then Red zone and he would've been out of quarantine mid November so theoretically able to leave as he posses no risk to uninfected horses, just like the horses from Warwick/Parkes etc. Now he is stuck in a purple zone till this crap is over, which is at my expense. I don't have the funds to pay for agistment till next April, which is when they predict this farce to be over, so Minister, I expect YOU to pay for this. If they think that the rest of the state not so lucky to be in a purple or green zone will sit back and happily watch those zones start to get back to some normality with competing etc, then they SERIOUSLY need to re think that brain storming idea.

I can see people "accidentally" bringing it back to amber zones in the hope that they then merge with the red zones so that then we can all become purple. Is this another case of money or pressure from elite horse people doing the talking again??

They have already returned two local government area's back from green to amber with a dusting of red for good measure, so wake up and smell the roses DPI, you couldn't run a chook raffle, let alone deal with this crisis. They blunder from one cock up to the next, but pander to those with influence, at the expense of the rest of us. Start listening to us, the people that are loosing money and patience hand over fist, and who are the "salt" of this industry. We have had it up to the proverbial.

As for which government is worst, I would say Labors winning. Their lack of financial assistance is disgusting. They knowingly let an infected horse into their state, & now expect us to not only pay the highest taxes in the country, but also pay the associated vet bills etc. The Iemma government is very lucky that this isn't a state election year, but don't worry, we have good memories.

TASMANIA - IMMEDIATE STANDSTILL OF HORSES

Due to a highly suspect case of a horse showing symptoms of Equine Influenza, the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water has ordered the immediate standstill of all horses in Tasmania as of 5pm Thursday 11 October 2007.

In addition, all horse events and gatherings are to be cancelled this week and weekend.

The DPIW is awaiting the results of further confirmatory tests in the coming days.

This advice has been received from Dr Rod Andrewarthur – Tasmania’s Chief Veterinarian.

For more information, check the DPIW web site on Friday morning: www.dpiw.tas.gov.au

Also review the EFA Tasmania Branch and National Office web sites regularly:

www.tas.equestrian.org.au

www.equestrian.org.au

Well here it is from the Vic DPI!

Obviously "recreational" horse owners do not even comer into consideration. Vaccination is only to protect the racing industry and they don't give a stuff about anyone else supported bythe NMG which includes the EFA. Nice to see we are well supported by the people allegedly there to represent our interests.

"EI vaccines protect a percentage of vaccinated horses against developing clinical signs, however vaccinated horses that are exposed to the virus may still become infected and excrete the virus. As you may be aware, it appears that the entry of EI into Australia occurred when a vaccinated horse brought the virus into the country and infected other vaccinated horses.

Vaccination masks the presence of infection and allows covert transmission to occur. Given the importance of eradication to all sectors of the horse industry , vaccination needs to be used strategically to create buffer zones as is planned in NSW and Queensland, and to reduce the likelihood of EI interrupting Victoria's Spring Racing Carnival.

The National Management Group (NMG) is the committee responsible for national EI vaccination policy. NMG comprises the Chief Executive Officers of the Commonwealth and State/Territory departments of agriculture/primary industries across Australia, and also the heads of the peak bodies representing the horse industry.

In line with NMG decisions, the Victorian Department of Primary Industries' (DPI) position at this point in time is to only allow the use of EI vaccine in the context of reducing the likelihood of EI interrupting Victoria's Spring Racing Carnival. "

Horse Deals Reader

This is a joke!

SITUATION UPDATE

There are currently 4,563,000 Infected Properties (IPs). Encouragingly, Dangerous Contact Properties (DCPs) and Suspect Properties (SPs) have dropped to 0!

Although there was a further increase in IPs over the last 24 hours, the new IPs are still occurring within existing Australian borders, and further cases are predicted to occur around existing IPs and SPs where there are very high seahorse densities. We are considering an expansion of the purple zone into New Zealand, with the aim of reaching Iceland.

The disease containment situation remains encouraging and there is still reason to be optimistic about the prospects for eradication, since all high risk horses have now died and none remain to be infected. However, the DPI still expects a sustained response effort will be required over the next six or more months with recreational horse owners maintaining high bio-security (racehorse owners are exempt). SDCHQ epidemiologists have ceased to trace the epidemiology of the outbreak, they are now busy investigating the Foot and Mouth outbreak.

Wildlife threat ?

Curious if anyone knows or cares about our wildlife being threatened by EI! Who knows - it just might be possible to spread through wildlife population, not just equines...
We have numerous wallabies, birds, etc, etc drinking from the exact same trough as our infected EI horses.....Cant see anyone tracking their progress - the mind boggles..
Lee

All who read have to respond to this!

The following is an article printed in the The CourierMail on Tuesday 9 October, written by columnistPaul Syvret .

If it makes you angry, please send an email expressingyour opinion to him at syvretp@qnp.newsltd.com.au or to The Editor:
cmletters@qnp.newsltd.com.au

Ditch Compo for Nags
Paul SyvretTuesday ViewThe Courier Mail 9 October 2007

Hands up all of you who had a dose of flu over winter?

Wasn't pleasant at all, was it? A few days off workfeeling like 10 pounds of poo in a nine pound bag, and when you get back to the office - dosed to the eye balls on Codral - you were probably doubling up for colleagues stricken by the same virus.

How much compensation did you get for this ailment -
or, more importantly, how much compo did your boss getfor all the lost time and productivity caused by thishighly contagious bug?

I'd venture zip, zilch, nothing.

When the first signs of coughing and spluttering andgeneral malaise began to manifest themselves at yourworkplace, was the site quarantined so you wouldn'tspread the virus any further?

Or did everyone carry on with their lives, transmitting the disease - which reportedly contributed to the deaths of more than a dozen people in Queensland - to all and sundry on the train homefrom work and in local shopping centres and cafes?

Mmmm, thought so.So what is it with equine influenza, or horse flu?

Can someone please explain to me why we have worked ourselves into such a lather about a few sick nags -who, like their human counterparts, in all probability will feel like tripe for a week or two and then recover perfectly well?

Let's face it, if you're not unfortunate enough to have had your livelihood affected by the horse flu - or to be quarantined at some god-for saken country race-track until the virus runs its course - you probably have more important things to worry about in life.

Oops, forgot about the punters some of whom in The Courier Mail office (sorry Michael) were doing a good impression of the delirium tremens when the first string of race meetings was cancelled, and are still deeply traumatised about scratched Spring RacingCarnival fixtures.

Tough - you probably saved yourselves a few bucks onthe punt.

Let's imagine, for a moment, another industry andanother bug.Let's suppose that overnight Queensland's thousands of poker machines - many of which are linked - were incapacitated by a virulent computer virus, a "pokieflu".

Remember that this is a billion dollar industry, creating employment for thousands of people, and providing leisure and entertainment for countless more.

Next to poker machine revenue (which will generateabout $550 million in taxes for Queensland this year),betting on the dish-lickers and the nags (tax revenueof about $35 million) is small beer.

And a hell of a lot more play the pokies than bet onhorses.So, were the pokie virus to strike, how much sympathy would that 'industry' get?

Would we be rushing to fund an emergency assistance package for the thousands of casual liquor and hospitality workers who had their shifts cut back or cancelled because of the virus?

Would we be compensating publicans - including giant chains like ALH - for lost revenue? I think not.

The anti-gambling lobby more likely would be dancing in the streets and playing a certain song by TheWhitlams as loud as possible.

It doesn't happen with the hay-burners, though.

No - poor racing industry.

We'd better throw buckets of money at them to help fix a problem that certain members of their fraternity have helped exacerbate by shifting horses or people contrary to quarantine regulations.

Guess what fellas, with each new outbreak, you've really only got yourselves to blame. It might be a contagious disease but it doesn't spread by magic - it requires movement of people or horses. So look after your own back paddocks before you come whining formore handouts.Then there's the poor caterers, milliners and the like who should perhaps have diversified their businesses a bit in the first place.

A NSW racing industry figure was on radio yesterday fretting about what people in the industry would do when the current trough of government money ran out.

Perhaps he and his ilk would be better off asking hundreds of workers for Ford Australia in Geelong -facing redundancy as Ford "rationalises" operations -how they feel about their taxes going bail out anindustry paralysed by a non-fatal and temporary flu.

Mind you, the horse industry is part of the ruralsector, and God love 'em, Australia's farmers did, after all, write the manual on how to milk subsidiesand tax breaks.

Bugger the Melbourne Cup. Let the horse flu run its course and let's instead run a sweep on which special interest group will be promised the biggest hand-out in the coming federal election. It would certainly bemore entertaining than watching a few horses run around a paddock for three minutes while a stand fullof botoxed Toorak matrons pretend to focus on the racethrough their champagne haze.

QHC Press Release - Recovery Plan for Horse Industry

11October

2007Recovery Plan for Horse IndustryQueensland Horse Council

President, Dr Mark Hohenhaus today confirmedthe Council's commitment to all the State's horse owners, riders,carriage drivers and related equine organisations and businesses andasks all associated organisations to provide input into a newly formedsteering committee.

Dr Hohenhaus says, "This week Horse Council representatives attended aNon-Racing Industry Recovery Steering Committee to develop a three phaseequine industry model to address the hardships being faced by thegeneral horse industry in the State".

Another meeting has been called for early next week to progress therecovery model with non-racing horse people. Organisations areencouraged along with their members to participate and have ownership.

There is a shared desire to get the industry back on its feet."The non-racing sector contributes approximately $2.9 billion directlyto the Australian economy and it desperately needs assistance. Thismessage is finally hitting its mark and it was acknowledged in both ofthe high level meetings I attended today", says Dr Hohenhaus.Whilst the QHC is recognised as the peak industry body, representingindustry issues to Government, it has become apparent that more supportis needed. All industry associated organisations such as breedsocieties, riding clubs and associations, allied health care and otherservice provider organisations are asked to provide input into theSteering Committee and to inform the QHC of the specific issues theyface.

Since the Queensland Horse Council was established in 1986 it hasconsistently addressed problems affecting the horse industry. The workof the QHC is crucial to ensure that the voice of all industry membersis heard by Government.

The QHC has worked tirelessly to represent its members over many yearsin negotiations with Government on issues such as the public liabilityinsurance crisis and the State forest trails issue. The QHC is nowworking actively on the EI crisis.Visit the website at www.qldhorsecouncil.com, or emailinfo@qldhorsecouncil.com or mail Box 1110 UQ Gatton, GATTON QLD 4343 fordetails on becoming a member.