Victorian DPI Situation Report October 31

Just follow the link below.

http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/_upload/files/vic%20dpi%20sitrep%20oct%2031.pdf

Pony clubs, rodeos focus of new gambling grants amid EI outbreak

Pony clubs and rodeo associations across Queensland will share in more than $287,000 from the latest round of Gambling Community Benefit Fund grants to help ease the impact of equine influenza, Treasurer Andrew Fraser announced today.

"This funding is just part of the $8,321,564 that 478 not-for-profit groups all over Queensland will be receiving from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund." Mr Fraser said.
"The Fund has been a reliable source of one-off grants for not-for-profit groups in local communities since 1994.
"One of the most satisfying aspects of the Fund is seeing the wide reach of the groups it benefits, from small communities in the north and west of the state, to metropolitan communities in South East Queensland.
"In this round, a variety of pony clubs from all over the state have received grants - from upgrading arenas to purchasing trailers and equipment, the government is committed to ensuring that not only the racing and thoroughbred industries but also recreational clubs involving horses are well supported during the equine influenza outbreak.
"I asked the committee to give priority consideration to any not for profit community groups, such as pony clubs, which may have applied.
"Additionally, another funding round – the final round of the year – will be decided at the beginning of December and announced before Christmas and similarly the Committee will also give consideration to those community pony clubs which have applied."

Grant recipients in this round include:
·Pomona and District Horse and Pony Club Inc Purchase equestrian equipment, fridge and BBQ $7,579

·Beenleigh Special School Parents & Citizens Association Purchase Liberty Swing $25,600

·Cairns String Orchestra Inc Purchase photocopier and printer $4,840

·Motor Neurone Disease Association of Queensland Inc Purchase patient aids, copier and upgrade kitchen $26,964

·Queensland Blue Light Association – Yarraman Mobile Entertainment Recreational Vehicle $28,590

The Fund has now provided about $351 million to over 31,500 community projects since its inception.
Levies generated from Golden Casket lotteries, wagering, keno, and gaming machines are redistributed through the Fund, ensuring all Queenslanders derive tangible benefits from gambling revenue.
The Fund awards grants of up to $30,000 to Queensland not-for-profit organisations to enhance their capacity to deliver services in their local community.

For more information on the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, or to obtain a funding application package, visit www.gcbf.qld.gov.au, or call (07) 3247 4284 or 1800 633 619 (freecall outside Brisbane).

Treasurer
The Honourable Andrew Fraser Friday, October 26, 2007

CURTAIL EQUINE INFLUENZA NOW OR FACE THE COSTS

Equine influenza remains containable and eradicable, Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said today.
"And that has to continue to be our aim or the annual costs to industry would be enormous,' Mr Mulherin said.
Mr Mulherin said the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics estimated that the current direct costs resulting from the EI outbreak at about $3.94 million per day nationally.
As DPI&F ramped up its vaccination program and beefed up its buffers, Mr Mulherin said experts remained increasingly confident that under the current strategy the disease would burn itself out.
"Their optimism is inspired by the infection still being restricted within the South East Queensland Red Zone, as well as better availability of vaccine which will allow us to more aggressively contain the infection within the existing areas. The strategy is working.
"I know there are those who say the horse standstill is too difficult for many people and we should just stand back and let horse flu run its course.
"But if we let that happen, horse owners could face the recurrent costs of two or three injections per year.''

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Chief Veterinary Officer Ron Glanville said the Department had to look at the "big picture''.
"The decision to impose movement restrictions was not taken lightly.'' Dr Glanville said.
"After more than eight weeks, horse flu in Queensland is still restricted to the South East corner of the state - this is directly attributable to the tight horse movement restrictions, which help prevent any further spread.
"Horse owners in the Red Zone can apply for a movement permit in cases where a horse's life is at risk. However, this is considered on a case-by-case basis and we have a responsibility to minimise any movements of horses that may further spread the infection.
"These restrictions may be relaxed in December depending on the success of our vaccination program, but for the time being it is critical that people continue complying with the movement restrictions.
"The alternative is the cost and inconvenience of an annual vaccination program costing hundreds of dollars per horse, which is what horse owners in other countries go through."

As part of the containment and eradication strategy, DPI has now created an inner buffer zone on the Sunshine Coast north-west from Wild Horse Mountain forestry tower.
More inner buffer zones are planned through Crows Nest and Esk district, linking to the Sunshine Coast inner buffer as well as to the west of Toowoomba and Warwick.
Mr Mulherin also said today more than $80,000 in interest subsidy support has been approved for small businesses affected by EI as part of the Queensland Government's Commercial Horse Small Business Emergency Assistance Scheme.
Since the scheme was launched on September 28, 2007, the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority has received 40 applications from applicants operating in various industries.
Under the Scheme, eligible small businesses that derive the majority of their income from the commercial horse industry and have experienced a significant downturn in income as a result of the outbreak, are able to receive an interest subsidy payment of up to $5000 (up to a maximum of 50% of the interest payments) on new or existing loans to assist in meeting their operational and other essential costs.

Mr Mulherin said a wide variety of industry groups impacted by the influenza outbreak were eligible to receive the assistance and encourages affected businesses to apply.
"The assistance available as part of the Commercial Horse Small Business Emergency Assistance Scheme is not confined to businesses involved in the horse racing industry, but for all businesses that are directly impacted by the commercial horse industry," he said.
To be eligible for the subsidy support, applicants must own and operate a small business with less than 100 full time equivalent employees, have experienced a significant downturn in income as a result of the outbreak, derive the majority of business income from being part of the commercial horse industry, have been operating the business on August 25, 2007 and continue to operate the business.
Applications for support under the Scheme must be submitted to QRAA by March 31, 2008.
For further information about the scheme, as well as full details of the eligibility requirements, terms and conditions and application forms, contact QRAA on Freecall 1800 623 946 or visit the website at www.qraa.qld.gov.au.


Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
31/10/2007

Hoppin' Mad

Hi Everyone,
I have cooled down slightly....well enough to write this email anyway.

As you may or may not know I had E.I. (Confirmed by the dpi) here and I just rang the NSW DPI to ask when I would be out of quarantine, original information said 50 days.....guess what they told me?

I am not in quarantine anymore there is no such thing, I am in a PURPLE ZONE EVEN THOUGH MY HORSES ARE IMMUNE TO E.I. I CAN'T MOVE THEM OUT OF THE PURPLE ZONE.......THIS IS THE REASON.....THEY MAYBE CARRYING THE VIRUS ON THEIR GET THIS......"FUR"!!!!!!!

HOW CAN THEY CARRY THE FLIPIN' VIRUS IF THEY DON'T HAVE IT ANYMORE AND IT CANNOT LIVE OUTSIDE A HOST FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME.

Hey, don't take my word read what they say!!!!!!!

This information below was taken from the NSW DPI website.

How long are infected horses quarantined for?

If equine influenza is suspected or detected in a horse on a property, an inspector will issue a Quarantine Order. This is a legal notice which means that you cannot move horses or anything that could be contaminated by the virus off the property unless authorised by an inspector. A Quarantine Order is usually in force for 50 days. This should allow sufficient time for the disease to run its course.

What if my horse dies of equine influenza?

It is unlikely that any horses will die. But a dead horse is still infective to other horses and the body must be disposed of in an approved manner.

Do carrier animals exist?

No. Once an animal has recovered and a sufficient time (30 days) has elapsed they pose no risk to other horses.

SO WHY ARE WE QUARANTINED IN A PURPLE ZONE?
WHY DON'T THE DPI KNOW THAT HORSES HAVE HAIR NOT FUR?
THIS WHOLE THING IS A BUNGLE AND HAS BEEN MISMANAGED BY A BUNCH OF PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO MAY NOT KNOW ONE END OF A HORSE FROM THE OTHER!!!!!!

-Carmen Bajpe.

War horses

After just returning from the War Memorial in Canberra. My daughter found it interesting that the soldiers were not allowed to bring back their horses that many saved the soldiers lives & were great friends and many soldiers shot there own horses due to the costs to the govenment & Australias very strick quarantine laws (as quoted in the history book we purchased,) they could not return. Boy have times changed, what if they were racing stock? Although we do agree with the quarantine rules.
Explain that to an 11 yrs old whos ponies are stuck in another state from someones mistake

DPI Updates - Useless for Victoria

I have signed on for the regular DPI updates on the EI situation but find the updates pretty much useless.

I am in Victoria, getting increasingly frustrated at the fact all horse races can be run, god forbid the government not make as much money as possible there, whilst all the non racing competitions get cancelled, one after the other.

Then the EFA finally runs a competition, which I entered, only to find out that the owner of my agistment didnt want anyone going to large gatherings of horses!! so had to withdraw. Now she is protection her property and business( which is fair enough) but she is going off all the warnings sent out by the DPI and gossip from various professionals within the horse industry, dentists, instructors etc.

I am not interested in reading the history of where EI started, just what the situation is in Victoria and straight forward recommendations on what should and shouldnt be done. It seems hypocritical that small gatherings are ok, lessons and clinics, yet a compition is excluded, where there are actual formal biosecurity measures in place.

Thank you to the team at horse deals as I feel I get more information and updates from your articles and blogs than any goverment site.

Kind Regards,
Katherine Johnson

Horse Deals November Issue on sale today!

See your local saddlery, newsagent or stockist for the November issue today!

Helensburgh EI community meeting, NSW

A community meeting to keep the public fully informed on progress being made to eradicate equine influenza (EI) will run at the Helensburgh Workmen's Club next Monday November 5 at 7pm.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has teamed up with local veterinarians, horse industry representatives to deliver EI information about the local area and answer questions from horse owners, trainers and riders.
Monday's meeting will cover the Heathcote, Helensburgh, Wollongong and Sutherland areas.
NSW deputy chief veterinary officer, Ian Roth, said topics to be discussed would include buffer zone vaccinations, infection locations, hygiene and disinfection, testing procedures and details of how the outbreak is being managed.
"We understand EI is having a huge impact at the local level and we want to respond to community concerns," Mr Roth said.
"About 80 per cent of all horses in NSW are used for purposes other than racing and restrictions on the movement of horses and horse products in the early days of the campaign have been tough on people who were unable to ride their horses or attend events.
"The meetings, which are being run across NSW, are designed to inform the local community and deliver the latest information in an open, friendly environment."

According to Mr Roth the meetings will give people the facts and dispel some of the myths, as well as provide an opportunity to ask questions of the experts.
"Accurate information about the disease and how it is spread will empower horse owners, and allow us to work together to get on top of EI in NSW," he said.
Details of meetings to be run throughout NSW are available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza or by calling 1800 675 888.

Supplied by NSW DPI 31 October 2007

90th Anniversary of the Charge of Beersheba

This is not really about Horse Flu but it shows what can be done, when people show some courage and join together to fight a cause as a united group.

Read more. Diggers' descendants ride long trail to war's great charge

Read more By 10 pm approx. 58,000 light horsemen and 100,000 animals had swarmed into Beershaba. It took 1,800,000 litres of water to shed their battle thirst.

More reading. Light Horse charge again

Audio http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/am/200710/AM07-light-horse.mp3

Pawing At The Gate.

30th October.

Kim Durante’s tsunami like dominance of the Australian Royal Hack Championships was set to continue at Melbourne Royal this September. Kim claimed the Brisbane Royal Championship with Aaron Woolard’s beautiful chestnut, Tate and was planning to take the two time Melbourne Champion (2005/2006) south to have a crack at a hat trick. That is until Equine Influenza stopped everyone in their tracks. Kim and Simon Durante, with children Sabrina and Cody live half way between Brisbane and Surfers Paradise. Horse Deals caught up with Kim to see how they were coping.

“We don’t have EI ‘yet’, but we have battened down the hatches here and have been very strict with our bio-security. We have not let anyone in or out. We had to have the farrier and he looks very funny in his white suit. He is very particular and does all the horses in his white plastic bio suit. We have had so much rain up here and there have been storms, so the horses have been spending a lot of time in the stables. The rain is good but it has been very wet. We have been able to work them a little which has been enough. They all came home from Brisbane well and they are just blooming, it’s a bit sad there is nowhere to take them. EI is a disaster and it is difficult for me and a lot of other people. I am losing income like so many people. Simon has the coffee shop and I do the horses, so I am very lucky to have Simon. If you just did horses you would be finding it very very hard to survive. I have applied for vaccination and I’m all for that and I think we need to vaccinate and get on with it.

“One of the benefits (of the shutdown) is that I have had the opportunity to be a full on mother and do all the things other non horsey mothers do with their children. I have been to the school and done a bike-a-thon with Cody. I go to school luncheons and the other mothers say, gee I haven’t seen you much at school before. I always drop them off at school, but usually someone else picks them up, as I am giving lessons. We have done things in the holidays and I am going to school meetings, it’s been really full on. I’m a bit of a cleaner too and I clean all the time, I love it. (It is not hard to imagine, as the Durante Team turnout is always immaculate).

“I am enjoying it all, as it has been full on for us for so long with the horses, but I am looking forward to getting back to it now. I’m pawing at the gate and if there were a show on tomorrow, I’d be there. Everyone is getting a bit bored and Aaron (Woolard) suggested we have our own show. I tell them they should think themselves lucky that they have had a good show season in Queensland. Imagine being in Melbourne where they were just about to start the season. All our horses are well and we are going OK, so far”.

Victorian/National Update Oct 30

Just follow the link.

Sydney Royal Judges

Click here to download a full list of Judges for the 2008 Sydney Royal Horse Show.

DPI QLD - ARE THEY SERIOUS ABOUT STOPPING EI ???

I am shocked to hear the lastest news that racehorses will be allowed movement shortly to attend trackwork. Very strange DPI Qld decision considering today they made the following comment on their website - QUOTE: "The situation as it stands is that there are 1896 properties infected with equine influenza in Queensland, this is an increase of 61 since 27/10/07. It's important to maintain decontamination procedures and remain vigilant.

Enough is enough. How can they demand from people to remain "vigilant and maintain decontamination" then on the other hand allow racing horses to move around. I thought the DPI advised owners that even if their horses were lucky enough to get vaccinated, they could still be carriers of the disease. The DPI advised that the vaccine actually prevents horse owners from seeing the symptoms.

If one horse can move, then all horses should more. I didn't think the virus was so smart that as it flies around in the wind it can see a horse and only stop and land on the horses that are not registered racing thoroughbreds.

This whole situation has been a joke since it started. I will be showing how I a non thoroughbred owner can have my say at voting time. Good Bye John Howard.

As for the Melbourne Cup, well I used to love watching it and joining in the fun. This year I have decided that I will not place a bet, not at the TAB or in my Workplace Cup Sweeps. I only have a small bet each year but this year they will get none of my money at all. I will save it for the coming months when the government announces DPI registration fees and all owners to have compulsory vaccines at the owners expense on a yearly basis. This is just a matter of time now and will be felt by all horse owners Australia Wide.

The one bet I will place is the one that states that an annoucement will be made within days after the Cup has been run saying that EI is out of control or in other states such as Victoria.

Jasper.

Glanville warns on EI cost

BRISBANE - Equine Influenza (EI) is progressively being brought under control, but the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI andF) is reminding people there are still important measures which must be taken to ensure this disease is eradicated.

Ron Glanville, Chief Veterinary Officer of DPIand F, recommended anyone who entered or left a property which had a horse on it should decontaminate whether EI was present or not - this slight inconvenience could prove to be the make or break in the fight to control EI.

"If we don't all pull together and stop EI now - if EI becomes endemic in Australia - horses will need annual vaccinations which have been estimated to cost approximately $300 per horse each year," Dr Glanville said.

Read more.

FEI World Cup Jumping Australian League 2007-08 Season completed

Christine Haigh, EFA National Office,

Tuesday, 30 October 2007

After just five of the scheduled 14 qualifying rounds, the 2007-08 FEI World Cup Jumping Australian League season has been declared completed. Only the first three qualifiers (at Sydney Royal, Toowoomba and Brisbane Royal) were held in the eastern States before equine influenza forced the cancellation of all events for the remainder of the season. The only exceptions were the Perth Royal and Brigadoon (WA) qualifiers in October.

Laurie Lever and Ashleigh Drossel Dan have been declared the winners on 35 points, having placed 2nd at Toowoomba and 1st at Brisbane. Second placegetters were Tim Amitrano and Mr Innocent on 30 points.

Laurie and Ashleigh Drossel Dan are now set to represent the Australian League at the World Cup Final in Gotteburg in Sweden in April 2008. Laurie Lever leaves with his horse Ashley Drossel Dan on Wednesday 7 November bound for Australian National Showjumping Coach Gilbert Bockman’s home in Germany. They will be based with Gilbert at his yard in Lastrup in Lower Saxony and campaigning in Europe for the World Cup Final and the 2008 Olympic Games.

Australian World Cup Chairman Peter Cooke has congratulated Laurie on his win and also commented on how well event organising committees worked in coping with the EI outbreak and the effects it had on the World Cup season in Australia. Peter says, ‘Despite the disappointment of a much-reduced 2007-08 season and the uncertainties that EI still poses the 2008-09 season is well-positioned with 15 World Cup shows scheduled, the first being Sydney Royal Show in March 2008’.

EI vaccine teams deployed to Purple Zone

30 Oct 2007

The State Government has deployed vaccination teams into the equine influenza (EI) Purple Zone and is renewing calls on horse owners to continue reporting sick horses, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.

“Our objective is to eventually have at least 80 % of the horse population in the Purple Zone immune or resistant to EI through either vaccination or infection,” he said.

“We know there is a massive horse population in the Purple Zone and we need as much information as possible to ensure we conduct a well-informed and strategic vaccination campaign.

“There are currently 5050 infected properties in NSW and about 41,000 known infected horses. Thankfully, most of the State remains free of infection but reporting sick horses remains vital to the success of the eradication campaign. It provides crucial information to the vaccination program.

“Owners of uninfected horses should inform their own veterinarian. This is a mechanism for uninfected horses to be recorded for potential vaccination, and a decision will be made based on their location, herd size and proximity to known infection.

“I want to stress from the outset that we are conducting a targeted vaccination campaign, NOT a blanket vaccination campaign and people must be patient.”

Minister Macdonald said priority is being given to areas in the Purple Zones where there are large numbers of uninfected horses to build-up immunity in these herds and provide a dead end to the disease’s path.
“Vaccinating these uninfected horses will assist rapid strategic disease control,” he said.

“Therefore we need to know which horses are infected and which are still disease free so we can target the limited supply vaccine to deliver the best result.

“Horses on infected properties or within one kilometre of a known infected property are not being vaccinated.

“Vaccinating infected horses is a waste of time, vaccine and resources as the horses will naturally become immune as a result of the infection.“Visiting already infected properties could also potentially compromise the biosecurity of the vaccination teams who then move on to uninfected properties.

“So if you are in a Purple Zone and have horses that are infected or showing EI symptoms you must report it to your local vet.”

Infected or suspect horses in the Red, Amber or Green Zones should be reported to the Equine Influenza hotline 1800 675 888

Owners of uninfected horses who want to enquire about vaccination should contact their local vet in the first instance.

Hundreds of Far North Coast horses tested for EI As part of Red Zone looks to go Amber

30 Oct 2007

Hundreds of horses across the State’s Far North Coast are being tested for equine influenza (EI) to prove the region is free from the contagious disease, Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, said today.

“This is the next step in the State Government’s EI Protection Plan to stamp out EI and return life to normal as quickly as possible for the State’s horse owners,” Minister Macdonald said.

“Currently there are 5221 infected properties in NSW and 41,514 infected horses - none of these are located on North Coast.

“Veterinary teams are being deployed to take blood samples from 60 properties in each Local Government Area (LGA). A total of 900 properties will be tested.

“The properties will be selected at random and consent will be obtained from owners to allow samples to be taken. There is no cost for owners.
“There is no doubt this is a very big job. But it is equally important to prove the North Coast is EI free and ultimately move it to Green Zone status which will free-up movement restrictions.

“Negative test results will provide the other States with confidence that there is no scientific evidence of horse flu on our Far North Coast.”
Meanwhile, Minister Macdonald said the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) believes EI infection at Berry, Moree, Coonamble, Wauchope and Walcha had run its cycle and has been contained.

“This signals a potential change in zoning status for all or part of a number of regions including Moree Plains, Gwydir, Coonamble and Warrumbungle LGAs,” Minister Macdonald said.

“We are now undertaking testing to resolve the status of these locations.
“The State Government is working to move these areas from Red to Amber in the very near future, but must be certain that there is no disease existing before it does so.

“The very reason this is a possibility is that local horse owners have exercised very thorough bio-security. This has prevented the disease spreading and as a result it has burnt itself out.”

26,000 vaccines for Queensland non-racing sector

Queensland's non racing sector has been allocated additional vaccine sufficient for 26,000 horses, as part of the latest phase to eradicate equine influenza and get local businesses and horse events back on track.

The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) spent yesterday consulting with the newly formed Performance and Pleasure Horse Industry - a group set up two weeks ago specifically to tackle issues arising from the exotic disease outbreak - with final details about the significant roll out of additional vaccine still to be finalised.

In line with the current process for allocation of vaccines in Queensland, horse owners in the Red Zone will still need to meet specific criteria, developed by the industry group in line with their top priorities, to be considered for the new vaccine allocation.

DPI&F Chief Veterinary Officer Ron Glanville has hailed the national decision to allocate the new vaccines an important step in helping the performance and pleasure horse industry to recover. It will also greatly assist in bringing this epidemic under control.

"Clearly, the decision to allocate vaccines for 26,000 horses is encouraging news for the 1000s of Queensland businesses, local associations and clubs who have been affected by Equine Influenza, but importantly, it also signals an end is in sight," Dr Glanville said.

"The Queensland Government and the Performance and Pleasure Horse Industry have worked very hard over the last two weeks to ensure the priorities of this sector are heard at a national level and these coordinated efforts have clearly paid off.

"Industry is now working on the logistics of how the vaccine will be rolled out and I encourage horse owners within the red zone who have not had Equine Influenza to visit the DPI&F website and get an application form in to the system.

"People also need to be aware that not all of this vaccine will be available straight away and that it will take some time to roll out this many vaccinations, so please be patient.

"Even though this is great news, it's important to remember that vaccination is not the be-all-end-all solution - in fact it's only one part of the national strategy that we're all working through to eradicate Equine Influenza.

"It's very important that all horse owners remain vigilant, continue decontamination and Biosecurity procedures, and stay informed about this highly contagious disease - this is critical if we are to achieve open horse movements by December," Dr Glanville said.

Even if horses have been vaccinated, it is still illegal to move horses in the Red Zone without a permit.

The Performance and Pleasure Horse Industry has been working closely with the Queensland Government to ensure the needs and priorities of the diverse group are heard.

A specific vaccination application form will be available on the DPI&F website shortly. To find out more about the current situation in Queensland or to learn about decontamination, visit DPI&F Equine influenza outbreak pages or call 13 25 23. The website also includes frequently asked questions about vaccination and its place as part of the overarching eradication strategy.

Horse flu vaccine available for all Qld horses

Equine influenza vaccines are now available for non-racing horses that are banned from moving within south-east Queensland's red zone.
The first of 26,000 vaccines will be administered to non-racing horses on Monday.

Kent Wells from the Queensland Pleasure and Performance Horse Industry says horse owners should apply for the vaccine through their vets or the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) website.

"At least there's light at the end of the tunnel. Previous to that we had no light, we were just stuck in limbo where we couldn't move our horses and had no prospect of moving our horses in the future but at least now we have the opportunity to get some horses vaccinated and the potential to move horses by Christmas,' he said.

Horse flu has whole industry brooding

BY THE beginning of October, the equine influenza virus had infected more than 33,000 horses in NSW and Queensland, and the number has been increasing daily. For the Australian horse racing industry, the epidemic could not have hit at a worse time.

As the spring racing carnival gets under way, some of the country's best thoroughbreds are unable to set foot on the racetracks.

Major racecourses in NSW are in total lockdown. Racing has been suspended indefinitely in south-eastern Queensland. Racing in Brisbane is unlikely to resume before February. In Victoria, the $2 billion spending bonanza that surrounds the spring carnival is going ahead — but only after $2.2 million has been spent immunising horses and the state against EI. But not even the vaccination program appears likely to stop the inevitable spread of the virus.

To put the potential racing industry losses into context, consider one of Australia's leading sires, Encosta de Lago — the first Australian horse confirmed with the disease — stranded in quarantine at Eastern Creek. Encosta de Lago would normally serve more than 100 mares a season at a fee of $200,000 a mare. If he serves no mares this season, that is at least $20 million of lost potential income for one stallion alone.

Read more (follow the link at the bottom of page 1 for page 2 of this article)

NSW farmers support EI eradication

Eradicating equine influenza (EI) rather than managing the disease through vaccinations is the way to handle the horse flu outbreak, the NSW Farmers Association (NFA) says.
NFA delegates to a bi-annual executive councillors meeting in Sydney unanimously passed a motion endorsing NSW government moves to eradicate the disease.

The NFA will next seek a meeting with federal Primary Industries Minister Peter McGauran to support the NSW Department Primary Industries' endeavour to eradicate EI rather than let it become endemic.

NFA horse flu councillor and trained veterinarian Peter Carter told the meeting's 60 delegates that a type of horse flu had rampaged through Australia before, from 1842 to 1911.

Read more.

Makybe Diva

Hi all Not so long ago someone wrote saying Makybe Diva and baby were facing EI. As it's almost Melbourne Cup time, does anyone know if this amazing lady and her offspring succumbed to EI? How did they fare? What about her unborn baby? horselover

Resuming competition

In NSW competitions are now allowed as follows:
In the purple zone - currently no restriction on holding events. However, the difficulty is that horses previously infected may not yet be fit to compete. Owners with horses not infected are unwilling to move their horses to avoid getting infected. Therefore there are no competitions being held. EFA and NSW DPI are working to vaccinate uninfected horses in the purple zone but this might take 6 weeks. Veterinary staffing appears to be the limiting factor coupled with the biosecurity and microchipping requirements. Once EI is stopped in the purple zone it will be feasible to plan competitions. My guess is that this will be sometime in February.

Red and amber zones - competitions not allowed at present but red zones are being progressively cleared. Many should be green by the end of the year given the current rate of progress.

Green zone - competitions allowed but horse movements must be recorded by Travelling Horse Statements and events must be registered - both on the NSW DPI website.

If we continue the current progress against EI, NSW will become just 2 zones - purple and green. To return to free movement for competition there are plans to allow movements across the purple / green boundary by horses proven to be immune to EI - that is vaccinated or immune after infection. These horses will require a veterinary certificate stating vaccination history or laboratory test proving immunity.

If we eradicate EI according to plan, these certificates might only be required for the first half of 2008. If EI becomes endemic we will be required to have this certification for ever.


Rod HoareAHIC Board member

Melbourne Cup

A RECORD $20.4 million was distributed to the Tasmanian Racing Industry from the activities of TOTE Tasmania last financial year.

Well I guess they won't need my bet on the Melbourne Cup this year. I have decided to stage my own protest, my one and only bet of the year was the Melbourne Cup. This year in light of the lop sided way the Government, who derives a huge kick back from racing through betting, has treated us non-racing equine owners I am not going to put one red cent on any horse. My mother has decided she just isn't going to bet on any overseas ones as they bought EI here.

Melinda Roberts - Tas