PEAK BODIES - ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?

A democracy, that is a government of all the people, by all the people, for all the people; of course, a government after the principles of eternal justice, the unchanging laws of God; for shortness sake, I will call it the idea of freedom. The American idea - speech by Theodore Parker at an anti-slavery rally, May 1850.

If a democracy is about freedom how can we possibly say that EI has been handled in a democratic way? We are not even free to move our own horses anywhere! Any year 1 sociologist out there knows that there are inequities and stratification throughout communities and societies and the horse community and the issue of EI is no different.

The reason the racehorse industry has been successful with their lobbying is that they are a highly organised, highly resourced and ultimately a highly influential structure. We should learn from their success and realise that our own "recreational" horse industry peak bodies are fractured, badly organised and INEFFECTIVE.

EFA, AHIC and all other "recreational"horse industry peak bodies need to be collaborating and coming together, resourcing a combined group to help all of us who ultimately fund them.

IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF INDIVIDUAL RIDERS AND OWNERS LIKE HEATH RYAN TO DO THIS. THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE AN EFFECTIVE, VIABLE OR AN INFLUENTIAL ENOUGH WAY OF MAKING THE POWERS TO BE LISTEN.

This is a make or break situation for our peak bodies and I challenge all peak bodies to show us, your stakeholders, whether you deserve to payed our memberships next year!

LB

Some Confusion.

24th October.

It does seem a bit odd that in France, a country where humans do consume horse meat, that they would produce a vaccine for Equine Influenza that resulted in the meat being unsuitable for either human or animal consumption. It is certainly not a subject we like to talk about, however the fact is, horse meat is used for animal food in Australia. There has been some concern that if vaccinated with the genetically modified canary pox ProteqFlu, horse meat was not suitable.

Horse Deals contacted Merial, the vaccine manufacturers in France. We received an email from Jacques Lechenet stating, “ in the EU there is no withholding period (for ProteqFlu) and there is no food issue problem”.

We contacted Peter Scott from Merial Australia who assured us; “in all the 33 countries the vaccine is registered, there is a nil withholding period between vaccination and use for human/animal food.”

“The vaccine is the same as any other vaccine. It poses no residue hazard for food produced from vaccinated animals, because the virus that carries the influenza antigens (those pieces of the virus that the horse’s immune system recognises and raises immune antibodies to) cannot multiply in horses or any other mammals and quickly disappears from the site of injection. The virus is only a carrier that presents the antigens in a form that causes a strong and rapid immune response in the horse. It was chosen because it cannot cause disease in any animal, not even in canaries where its ancestor viruses came from”.

Another matter of concern is the fear that horses vaccinated with ProteqFlu would be barred from entering New Zealand. The New Zealand Equestrian Federation put us on to Trish Pearce from the NZ Food Safety Authority. Her reply.

“Good question. On balance I’d say a vaccinated horse can enter NZ. A horse is not a new organism and we’ve not taken the line that an animal which has consumed a GM product is a ‘new organism’. An organism is able to replicate itself; a vaccinated horse could not replicate that organism and a vaccinated horse is not in itself a new organism. If it was you would have to say all horses/animals/people entering the country are new organisms carrying their own unique brands of bacteria…”

Some people have expressed concern that their horses have become re infected with EI. After consultation with veterinarians it was determined that they are not getting a second bout of EI, what they are in fact getting is a secondary bacterial (not viral as EI) respiratory infection or pneumonia. Horses recovering from EI can outwardly look well, but when scoped demonstrate extensive damage to the respiratory system. This will repair itself, but caution is urged when bringing horses back into work after a bout of EI. Two months rest after a mild case and three months for a more serious case is recommended. And they should be brought back into work slowly, beginning with walking exercise.

Do you support the eradication of Equine Influenza?

The Australian Horse Industry Council needs to understand the feelings of horse owners towards the current program of eradication of Equine Influenza.

There are some sectors within the horse industry that are prepared to live with the disease.

Are these representative of the average horse owner?

We want the ideas from the broadest range of owners possible.

Would you please respond to the following survey http://www.surveymaster.com/AHIC/Q3.asp

Tasmanian DPI Update.

There has been a minor change to the biosecurity plan template for non-racing events with 10 or more horses. The updated version should be on our website shortly. The change is to item 12.3 on the template. In short, it clarifies that, if a horse has a slightly raised temperature when it’s checked by the vet on arrival at the event site, the vet does not necessarily have to take the drastic action of locking the entire event down while the horse is further examined. It spells out that the vet may, providing there are no other clinical signs consistent with EI, simply isolate that horse (and any other horse that arrived in the same float/truck) and retake the temperature a little later. This minor change arises from a couple of horses that arrived at the Longford show last weekend with a slightly raised temperature. The examining vet judged that the cause was likely to have been “over rugging” and was proven right when the temperatures fell back to normal after a short period of isolation (unrugged) - without major disruption to the rest of the horses at the show!

Please note that tomorrow (Thursday) is a public holiday in the south. The disease control centre at New Town will not be operational. Any calls coming into the centre will be redirected to our animal health staff in the north and the all hours hotline for reporting any signs of EI – 1800 675 888 – will remain open.

Barry Calderbank

David Hawker Website Enquiry

Please find below a letter, if you like, I sent this morning to our Federal member. I certainly don’t know if this will do any good, do anything at all but perhaps I feel a bit better after sending it.

Sir,
With respect to Equine Influenza and the impact on the non-racing (or pleasure horse industry).

No doubt you have been contacted by many horse owners during and since the EI outbreak in Australia. August seems to be have been so far away in the minds of many, certainly not in the minds of many of our politicians. May I take one moment of your time to extend to you, in the interests of all non-racing horse owners, an invitation to listen carefully to their concerns. This will become, in the minds of these horse owners, an election issue and I exhort you to listen to us all.

It is true that EI has not entered Victoria or South Australia. In some sense therefore, the whole pleasure horse population in these 2 states, are targets for the eventual encroachment of EI into this state. As our sitting member, I am reassured that you are from a background of the land, and therefore understand the connection the average horse owner has with their horses whether we are using the horse for our pleasure, or indeed, our sport. May I respectfully remind you that over 80% of the ‘pleasure horse’ population has nothing to do with racing at all. These horse owners, particularly here in your electorate, have not been well informed during this problematic time by DPI Vic or by our State government, let alone the Federal Government. The only way many of us have received information has been by voluntarily registering our horses with the Horse Industry Council thereby ensuring that this body (a significant body that is managed voluntarily and without Federal funding) keeps us informed. The other way we have kept ourselves informed is by visiting the Horse Deals website and going to the public blog. I urge you to read this (at least read some of the comments from people who have been neglected and sadly misinformed by various state DPI officers). Clearly most of us are taking our responsibilities extremely seriously.

Many horse and breed groups have cancelled and postponed events voluntarily to ensure that EI does not enter Victoria. Actually many of us had no choice either. Meanwhile, the racing industry has continued to hold meetings, train horses, travel and generally conduct their business as usual. Clearly this is a double standard that is operating not only in Victoria but in other states as well. Whilst all horse owners appreciate the importance of the Spring Racing Carnival to the economy, this complete and utter disregard for the rest of the horse owning population has served only to create a silent monster. I assure you Sir, that this monster will not remain silent for very long.

There is the issue of the either little or no dialogue with all non-racing horse owners during this crisis. If this level of non-communication remains, how do you expect we should fare when EI reaches Victoria?
There is the issue of clear double standards. Allowing racing to continue whilst non-racing horses, owners and businesses suffer the consequences of this shut down has been a travesty. It appears as though the only interests served here have been that of State governments, the Racing Industry and the betting businesses. This should be addressed immediately and I exhort you, as our serving member, to not only find out to what degree this has affected non-racing owners, but to put your mind to supporting us all.

There is the issue of the availability of vaccination to the non-racing horse owner and their charges. Again, with respect, the double standard has been to allow vaccination to all race horses as a priority but there has been no word at all to the rest of us, about when or even if, we may access a vaccine. The issue resounds rather more loudly than you would imagine. For instance, not one horse owner considers that his / her horse is any more or less important or valuable than a stable yard full of thoroughbreds. In the first instance, we were all told that the Ausvet plan was not to vaccinate.

There is the issue of who can claim payment for loss of earnings in affected business or industry. The way in which governments ‘helpfully’ make the rules ensures that most people are dismayed at the paperwork involved, further disappointed in the delays in processing and then finally, disillusioned when of course, they don’t actually qualify. These people are hurting Sir and I imagine that you have no idea who they are or where they are. I invite you to find out and visit them.

And finally, I would like to thank you for the time you will take to read this email, as I am writing this on behalf of every single ‘recreational’ horse owner in your electorate. I have no authority to do so of course, I have no permission to do so from any of them. What I do have is a well founded sense of moral outrage that any of this could occur in this country, and I believe I have a duty in a sense of what is right, fair and proper, to ensure that you Sir, as our elected representative actually does listen to what we have to say.

Regards,Karen Harrison

Problem of Definition of "Recreational/Pleasure Horse" Industry

I would like to address the problem of the definition of the "RacingIndustry" vs the "Recreational Industry". I run a business which does notderive the majority of its income form the "racing" sector, however mybusiness is no more "recreational" than a business which derives its incomefrom racing. The definition of non racing businesses as recreational,suggests all businesses in this sector are run as hobbies and therefore of lesser consequence and deserving of limited support.

As the racing industry revolves around socialites partying in marquees Iwould suggest that the racing industry deserves the tag of "recreational"more than the non-racing sector. At least the non racing industry has genuine working horses such as stock horses and police horses. I would alsolike to know in what way a thoroughbred stud is more of a business than afinancially viable non-thoroughbred stud?

While I appreciate that Heath Ryan is "On the Front Foot" he will be on his back foot if he presents a document which suggests his own business andother non-racing businesses are "recreational". I would suggest that everyone needs to stop referring to the rest of as "recreational" and I would ask the AHIC, the EFA and the other non-racing bodies to PLEASE STOPreferring to non racing businesses as "recreational" especially in submissions to government on our behalf!
Maureen Byrne
Valley CountryGrafton NSW

TIME FOR ANSWERS FROM THE DPI QLD

HI I AM IN TOTAL AGREEANCE WITH PHIL ON THIS ONE IT IS TIME WE KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON IN QLD.

IS THEIR A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL OR IS IT A TRAIN.
AHIC STATED MID 2008 BEFORE WE WOULD BE GETTING CLOSE TO BACK TO NORMAL.

I FOR ONE AM UNABLE TO SEE THAT AS A PERCIEVABLE TIME FRAME (ALMOST 12 MONTHS IN LOCKDOWN)
I HAVE GIVEN UP COMPLAINING (COMPLAINING GETS YOU KNOW WHERE) HOWEVER SOME ANSWERS TO HIS QUESTIONS WOULD BE GREAT.
ARE WE GOING TO COMPETE OUR HORSES ON LINE IN ON LINE DRESSAGE EVENTS. IS THAT WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT FOR THE NEAR FUTURE????? AND EXTENDED FUTURE

THIS IS A GREAT IDEA BUT NOT ALL HAVE THE LUXURY OF OUR OWN DRESSAGE ARENA. AND IN MY CASE I USE A FACILITY 100MTRS UP THE ROAD THAT I AM FORBIDDEN TO GO TO.
SO FOR ME ITS IMPOSSABLE TO PRODUCE A DRESSAGE TEST ON VIDEO. MY HORSES STAND IDLE IN THEIR SMALL YARDS AND STABLES WITH NO WORKING FACILITIES.
HEAVEN HELP ME WHEN I GET BACK ON MY 3YR OLD THAT I BROUGHT BACK FROM THE BREAKERS 2WKS PRIOR TO LOCK DOWN. HE HASN’T BEEN RIDDEN SINCE. (HOPE MY STACK HAT IS IN GOOD ORDER)

IF THE DPI COULD GIVE US SOME ANSWERS AND TIME FRAMES IT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED.
OH AND WHAT ABOUT THE PLEASURE AND PERFORMANCE HORSE GROUP SET UP ON THE 14TH OCT AT THE RNA QLD.
MAYBE THEY COULD GIVE US SOME INSIGHT INTO OUR FUTURE. THESE PEOPLE ARE OUR VOICE AND WE WERE ALL VERY EXCITED WHEN THEY ANNOUNCED THEIR GROUP BUT LITTLE WORD SINCE.

A QUESTION FOR YOU ALL IN QLD ARE YOU STILL GETTING EMAILS FROM THE DPI WITH THEIR UPDATES OR IS IT JUST ME THAT SEEMS TO HAVE FALLEN OF THEIR MAILING LIST.
I HAVE TO FOLLOW THIS SITE OR LOG DIRECTLY TO THE DPI QLD FOR INFO. SO IF YOUR GETTING EMAILS I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW.

CHEERS

KEEP YOUR CHINS UP HAVE FUN PLAYING WITH YOUR LOVELY HORSES AND LETS HOPE WE CAN GET SOME ANSWERS.

SUZIE

OUR ORGANISATIONS ARE ONLY AS STRONG AS THEIR MEMBERS

This blog is in response to a few comments that I have seen posted toother blogs on this site.

It is about time we ALL rolled up our sleeves. There seems to be adisturbing attitude emerging that it is our RIGHT to be understood andour needs to be known by those in authority and with the ability to do something about it. Miraculously, they should just know what we need.

WAKE UP! The Lord helps those that help themselves. There is a greatdeal of work being done on our behalf and many of the individuals doing it are volunteers.

In Queensland a few weeks ago there were public meetings and a lot of noise being generated by people such as Peter Toft. Peter saw there was a problem and stood up to do something about it. He is now part of the crisis steering committee and is very busy along side the organizations that had already been working tirelessly on our behalf since the beginning of the EI outbreak, organizations such as the Queensland Horse Council and Equestrian Queensland. Might I add that the QHC has been working on biosecurity issues for many years, warning that this exact thing may happen, but no-one was listening!

Peter now appears silent too however I will bet my bottom dollar thathe's just got his head down and tail up like the others, working furiously on our behalf and I applaud individuals like Peter and Heath who are involved.

The general public appears to be whinging that nothing is being done, now I agree that there should be more communication about what is being done, however those that are doing it are few and quite frankly,exhausted. Many don't have financial backing, some are relying on the support of their employers to put up with the distractions and some are retirees. The non-DPI&F employees are volunteers, and quite frankly I think it is great that the DPI&F see fit to employ people from the industry.

Then when Liz Buchanan from Equestrian Queensland attempted to communicate what EQ are doing, she got shot down in flames by some selfish so-and-so saying actions speak louder than words! They can't win!

I am absolutely disgusted! We have no right to complain unless we are in there with our sleeves rolled up.

Our organizations are only as strong as their members. Financial membership is not enough, roll up your sleeves and be a part of the solution. Don't just sit back and be a part of the problem.

Each organization has a role and EQ, QPCA, QERA are all mostly focused on the sport and competition aspects of the industry. The Australian Horse Industry Council and it's associated state bodies are there to address the whole of industry issues, such as biosecurity, road safety,public awareness, horse welfare, insurance and access to public facilities (trails, parks etc) to name but a few.

If you think that not enough has been done, then you only have yourself
to blame.

Grrrrrrr, it makes me so mad!

Linda SE Qld

Western Victoria Branch of ASHS competitions

I was talking with Horse Deals recently and you wanted to know when and if we were running some competitions.

Well we are!

I have updated our website www.westvic-stockhorse.com with our latest newsletter and our competitions.

We have 3:
Fancy Dress Photo competition open to all kids and big kids if they wish!
Best Turned Out Photo competition open to all stock horse members.
Ridden Hack and Working Video competition open to all members, their families, friends and even to those without registered stock horses. All competitions are free.

The competition rules and conditions are on the website and in the newsletter.

The good thing this is that members don’t have to leave home, they can show off their horses in both ‘photographic and video form, and they can still participate with their friends (as long as they don’t breach DPI guidelines!)

Regards,
Karen Harrison

HEY YOU DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ERADICATING EI

Beacuse with the current system you just eradicate the entire so called pleasure industry and its entire support network. All the important equines and a few freeloaders (on the buffer zone and not thoroughbred) are vaccinated so if we wait until June 2008 we will all be showing chooks!!!!!

EI Signature Help from Horse Deals.

Hi,

My name is Diane Ager and I am seeking publicity / support in regards to a e-petition that I am currently the Chief Signatory for. The e-petiton is against the federal Govenrment to re-instate the $200 payment that was offered for a short time to help people affected by EI.

I am working in conjunction with John English MP and the e-petition is running until November 13th.

We need as many QLD residents to sign this, to help assist people at this difficult time. The link is listed below.

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/EPetitions_qld/CurrentEPetition.aspx?PetNum=930 - YOU MUST BE A RESIDENT OF QLD.

This is being supported by State Government, and is being widely distributed amongst the horse community.

Kind Regards.

Diane Ager
Principal Signatory - E-Petition on Horse Flu.

AUSTRALIAN HORSE INDUSTRY COUNCIL - what hope do we have?

From Penny's Entry today - "But today I actually received a reply from the Horse Council telling me that the Fed and State Govts didn't even know the pleasure horse industry existed despite the Horse Council lobbying on 'our' behalf in the past"

We should not be surprised, a little research on the AHIC website states the following: "During the recent outbreak, the role of the AHIC has been to ensure that the voice of the recreational horse industry has been represented effectively at both a national and state level. Representation has included the following: Direct representation by the AHIC President, Dr Barry Smyth, on the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease (CCEAD) and National Management Group (NMG), the primary Federal Government response groups on EI;

DR BARRY SMYTH
 President: His clinical interests are in Thoroughbred racetrack practice, He is now in Thoroughbred racetrack practice based at Flemington."

WHAT HOPE DO WE HAVE WHEN THOSE WHO ARE REPRESENTING US ARE BASED AT THE FLEMINGTON RACETRACK? YOU WOULD PRESUME THE CONCERNS OF VICTORIAN RACING MAY HAVE A BIT MORE WEIGHT THAN A SMALL PONY CLUB THAT CAN'T HOLD RALLIES OR THE LOCAL SADDLERY GOING BROKE!!!???

A very Frustrated Maureen NSW.

VIDEO DRESSAGE COMPETITION SERIES

HORSELAND
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DPI Meeting in Victoria

EFA Vic & representatives from HRCAV, PCAV, Racing Victoria & VAS were to met with DPI yesterday to discuss the current EI situation and action to be taken after this date, however this meeting was postponed until Wednesday 31st October.

Some Politicians are listening AND acting

Hi,

I have sent letters to numerous politicians over the past week, letters that do not attack anyone but simply state my view of the issues and the impact EI has had on my partner (Master Farrier & Horse Trainer) and I (Equine Massage, Horse Trainer & Instructor) personally. I have to say I am very surprised and happy with the responses to that letter so far.

I sent the letter via email to Wayne Wendt, QLD State Member for Ipswich-West, and his response showed he had both read my letter and intended to follow it up in his meetings with QLD State government Ministers – he’s doing what he can.

I sent a letter in the post to Mike Horan, QLD State Member for Toowoomba and the QLD Shadow Minister for both the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, and Racing. Mike called me and spoke to me about the issues and personal experiences I wrote in my letter and he followed them up for me. One of his staff rang me back again with more information and assistance, and Mike organised for the DPI to give me a call to discuss some of the issues as well. I am more than happy with the support and representation Mike Horan is giving us in the Pleasure and Performance industry.

I have also had acknowledgements from Senator Russell Trood’s office and an email of support from the Federal Greens Candidate for Ryan (Evan Jones).

I am sure I will receive at minimum acknowledgements from others I have sent letters to and hopefully more letters indicating they are supporting us.

My point is, there are some politicians who are trying to give us support, and perhaps there will be more if we lobby rather than attack.
Kathryn Priol

Time for some answers from Queensland DPI

It is now approaching 8 weeks since the outbreak of EI started here in Queensland. In that time things have gone from bad to worse for the performance horse people.

We have no idea when this thing is going to end and we can start to get our lives back and start to earn a living for some and go back to competing for others.

During the last 8 weeks we have seen the race horse industry run the Qld DPI and tell them what they will and will not do, who they will vaccinate and who they will not, in the mean time the rest of us have been left to fend for our selves. Yes the State government came out in a big fan fare with assistance and their warm and fuzzy shops, but there is no use offering hope if you make the assistance unreachable for the those that really need it.

The time has come for some answers! Honest ones not political clap trap
What time frame are we looking at for some sort of horse movement again?( a actual date)

Will horses in the Red Zone be allowed to move around in the Red Zone and out into the Green Zone for competitions and breeding purposes
Will horses from the green zone be allowed to come in and out of the red zone for competitions and breeding purposes.

What plan of action do you have in place for horses that are in the red zone that have not contracted EI? Do you plan to vaccinate these to create a bigger buffer zone.

We can not continue to go on with out some plan of action for our future. You have one for the race horse industry how about one for the rest of us, we pay taxes as well .

A frustrated and P####D of horse ownerPhil

DPI Situation Report for October 23, 2007

Just follow this link.

http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/_upload/files/vic%20dpi%20sitrep%20oct%2023.pdf

Qld DPI Report

Updated 23 October: Infected premises (IPs) increased by 148 to a total of 1534. Over the last week there have been an average of approximately 50 new IPs a day.

ERADICATION OF EQUINE INFLUENZA

Rod Hoare from Industry Liaison summarises the campaign towards eradication so far.

“From Day 1 NSW DPI and other authorities have been working towards eradication of EI. How could Australia do this when Europe and America have not been able to eradicate it? South Africa and India have eradicated the disease: what are our chances?

NSW DPI and their many collaborators had some initial problems:

• The initial spread of infection prior to standstill was very widespread and into areas of high horse density.

• No vaccine supplies were on hand, no approvals were available, and vaccines would be a month coming.

• We did not know how the disease would spread under Australian conditions.

• The disease came at the worst time of the year – just before breeding season, just before foaling, in cool weather assisting survival of the virus. Spread from property to property occurred in the cool morning mists up to about 3 km.

NSW DPI and collaborators also had many advantages:

• NSW DPI staff and supporting agencies such as the Rural Fire Service are well trained in emergency response and did respond quickly.

• There was an AUSVETPLAN for EI.

• An excellent test (PCR test for presence of virus) was available, and a capacity to test up to 1000 samples overnight.

• The new generation of vaccines produces effective immunity against the strain in Australia after the first injection.

What progress has been made?
• The geographic area of Australia affected by equine influenza has not changed much in the past 6 weeks.

• There have been three new groups of infection in the green zone but these have now been contained with vaccination buffers.

• Now that adequate vaccine supplies are available, it is possible to respond more quickly and effectively to put out the spot fire situations.

• Vaccine supplies are still limited. Sending vaccine to uninfected states is like sending water tankers away from the fire front – highest priority for vaccine is where the disease is likely to occur.

• The daily number of new infected properties is much lower than it was mid September.

• The majority of infections are now occurring in previously infected areas and within vaccination buffers.

• A small proportion of Australia's horses have been exposed to EI virus - less than 10% of the total horse population.

• More horses are becoming immune to EI daily after recovering from EI infection or to the effects of vaccination.

• The first round of EI vaccinations in the buffer zones in NSW is more than 70% complete. The boundaries of some of the red and amber interfaces in NSW are to be replaced by amber and green zones respectively. The plan is to have all high risk horses in the NSW purple zone immune to EI due to infection or vaccination by 30 November 2007.

• Scenario analysis indicates that the outbreak is running below the mid-range prediction curve, and well below the worst case curve.

• The best guess prediction is that EI will be eradicated by 30 June 2008. This will depend on compliance with personal biosecurity.

The conclusion is that eradication is well on track and remains the number one priority.”

Boycott the big race

The more this crisis goes on the more depressed I'm getting. I have emailed every pollie I can think of, I have made numerous phone calls to the media and TV stations and have emailed the Horse Council. I am exausted. I'm just too old for this.

But today actually recieved a reply from the Horse Councli telling me that the Fed and State Govts didn't even know the pleasure horse industry existed despite the Horse Council lobbying on 'our' behalf in the past.
They tell me that all newly registered horses will be taxed an extra $10 at 'some time in the future' and that we should thank our lucky stars that we even got vaccinations for the buffer zones as the racing industry had lobbied long and hard for vaccs to go to racing horses FIRST. The racing Industry tried to get an exclusive aggreement that left every one else out but the HC managed to get us included (AustVetPlan).

Contact your local federal candidate and lets make this an election issue, If we all speak up loudly then we may get heard.
Yours in total exaustion and frustration, Penny.