EI vaccinations in Gloucester buffer well underway

About 700 horses in the Gloucester EI buffer have now been vaccinated as part of the strategic vaccination campaign to eradicate the exotic horse flu. Half of these horses which are located in the strip from Wards River south of Gloucester to Crawford River south-west of Bulahdelah are set to receive their second dose next week.

The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries extended the Gloucester EI buffer to include the strip from Allyn River to William River, north-west of Dungog.

The Local Vaccine Centre in Gloucester estimates there is 2500 horses in this buffer and is requesting all horse owners who think they might be in this buffer to contact them on (02) 6558 1707 so these horses can be vaccinated.

NSW deputy chief veterinary officer, Ian Roth, said good hygiene and movement restrictions, along with vaccination, remain vital to the NSW EI Protection Plan.

"The public has given NSW DPI tremendous support and we ask people to keep up the good hygiene and biosecurity practices to ensure we stay on track." Mr Roth said.

TAHMOOR AND THIRLMERE HORSE OWNERS

EQUINE INFLUENZA

1 November 2007

TAHMOOR AND THIRLMERE HORSE
OWNERS REMINDED TO REPORT SIGNS OF EI

Horse owners in the Tahmoor and Thirlmere areas have been reminded of their legal obligation to report any signs of Equine Influenza (EI) among their horses.

NSW DPI deputy chief veterinary officer, Ian Roth, said it was important for people to report any horses displaying signs of EI by calling the hotline 1800 675 888.

“There are about 40 properties in these areas already known to have horses infected with EI. Reporting horses showing signs of the disease will help stop it spreading,” Mr Roth said.

“Symptoms of EI include a sudden increase in temperature (38.5°C or higher) dry, hacking cough; and a mucous nasal discharge. Other signs can include depression, loss of appetite, laboured breathing, and muscle pain and stiffness.

“We need to know where EI is, so we can continue our work to contain and eradicate it. At this stage, we have contained EI to parts of NSW and now we are working to eradicate it within those contained areas.

“We can only win this battle if horse owners report EI signs, comply with horse movement restrictions and follow hygiene and decontamination procedures.”

Tahmoor and Thirlmere are in Red Zone, which means it is an Equine Influenza Restricted Area where horses cannot be moved without a permit.

“Horse owners and those in contact with horses need to comply to ensure EI does not spread out of control across the country, imposing the added cost of yearly vaccinations, the loss of some foals and older horses as a result of the virus as well as the continued discomfort experienced by infected horses,” he said.

Failure to report horses displaying symptoms of EI to authorities is an offence and people not doing so risk fines of up to $44,000 or a year imprisonment.

Equine Influenza - current and into the future

We are now two months into the equine influenza response in Queensland and NSW. This has been a very trying time for everyone, yet much has been achieved. Now that we have better knowledge of the way this disease operates within our environment, confirmation of many aspects of the disease's epidemiology, and reasonable supplies of vaccine it is timely to give you an update on the current situation and where we see the response heading.

Equine Influenza - Communiqué to Queensland Veterinarians (PDF, 341 kB)

Equine influenza daily update - 1 November 2007

Just follow this link.

Victorian Information Sessions

Victorian DPI are rolling out a series of Information Sessions throughout Victoria.

Check the links for the details

http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/_Upload/files/VIC%20Community%20Meetings.pdf

http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/_Upload/files/VIC%20Community%20Info%20Sessions.pdf

2008 VAS Ltd “Weight Lifter” HOTY

At the VAS Ltd Board meeting on the 1st November 2007 it was decided to postpone the 2008 VAS Ltd “Weight Lifter” Saddle Horse Championships.

The VAS Ltd Saddle Horse Committee will meet on the 22nd November to discuss future dates and present their recommendations to the VAS Ltd Board. A final decision and outcome of this discussion will be publicised on the 23rd November 2007.

The VAS Ltd Board and Saddle Horse committee would like to thank each and every one of our Members, Sponsors, Supporters and Exhibitors to this prestigious event, for their patients in this matter, as I am sure we would all agree that we would like to see EI eradicated from Australia.

Yours sincerely
Paul Seuren

100 metre horse exclusion zone at Werribee?? Is this a joke?

A portion of Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre has been leased for November
and December by the Victorian Government for use as a quarantine site.

The Premier John Brumby has announced that a quarantine site has been established at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre which is expected to stable up to 50 horses at a time.

Under nationally agreed, new quarantine rules, horses from non-equine-influenza zones interstate must spend at least two weeks in quarantine before coming to Victoria, followed by a further two weeks in quarantine in Victoria.

“Victorian horses stranded in NSW by the equine influenza outbreak will be given priority at the Werribee quarantine site, with interstate horses wanting to compete in Victorian races to follow,” Mr Brumby said.

The quarantine area within WPNEC will be fenced and will have a 100 metre horse exclusion zone around its perimeter. The quarantine area is essentially the stables and area on the left hand side of the internal asphalt roadway. The horse exclusion zone encompasses the indoor arena’s and to the edge of the dressage arena’s.

During November and December a small number of scheduled EFA activities will still occur on the jumping areas and scheduled Polo activities will go ahead. These activities are conducted under rigorous biosecurity controls developed in conjunction with the Department of Primary Industries - Victoria. No additional equestrian activities will be scheduled during November or December.

The existence of the quarantine centre and the 100 metre horse exclusion zone will have no effect at all on human access to the Centre, to the EFA offices or to any other tenant of the Centre.

The Centre continues to be used and to be available for use for non-equine purposes during November and December.


IS THIS A JOKE? 100m horse exclusion zone, excuse me if my horse sneezes!

Katie, Vic.

Important Message from AHIC President Barry Smyth

The national horse industry continues its strong support for the combined efforts of governments and industry participants to contain and eradicate Equine Influenza. There has been no deviation by participants in the non-racing sectors from the aim of eradicating EI from Australia. I had a meeting on Monday 29 October with representatives of the national groups representing Quarter Horses, Arabians, Stock Horses, Ponies and EFA. I had a meeting on Wednesday 31 October with Victorian representatives of Pony Club, EFA, Agricultural Shows and Adult Riding club. AHIC has also had extensive feedback from surveys on the web site. Other States also provide similar views. The messages are quite clear and consistent ever since the outbreak of EI commenced in August:
1. Non-racing sector wants eradication of EI.
2. Non-racing sector does not want to live with an endemic EI situation.
3. Non-racing sector is against use of vaccine outside the agreed purposes of containment, disease reduction, and (with a great deal of reluctance) mitigation of some economic losses.
4. Non-racing sector is against use of vaccine in non-infected jurisdictions.
5. Non-racing sector is prepared to continue to cancel or delay gatherings and events until after 31 December in the interests of the national horse industry to reduce risk of EI spread. This is voluntary in non-infected jurisdictions and is done at considerable cost to non-racing sectors, but they are prepared to continue this with the thought that they will be able to commence events early in the new year with added biosecurity measures to be determined over the next couple of months.
6. Non-racing sector is prepared to continue the eradication efforts beyond 1% GVP. How much beyond is difficult to determine at this stage. Continued feedback about success of ongoing efforts and costs will be essential for their decision making. Continuing with eradication for the next 3 months or more will be cheaper than the endemic situation.
7. Non-racing sector does not want mass vaccination under any circumstances. There is more than 50 years experience in endemic countries that this does not work and ensures ongoing costs of vaccination, treatment of sick horses, quarantine, unpredictable business disruption, and inability of horses to compete. Yes, events do continue in those countries where mass vaccination is allowed, but the pool of horses available to compete is reduced. Japan currently is a good example of this situation. 8. Non-racing sector does not want introduction of killed vaccines under any circumstances. This makes monitoring of disease spread impossible with current technology - cannot distinguish vaccinated from infected animals. So you have no idea where EI is circulating in the horse herd. Success or otherwise of eradication efforts are impossible to judge with use of killed vaccine. I hope this feedback from 85% of the national horse industry is useful for decision makers.
AHIC urges you to contact immediately your:
• State Minister for Primary Industries,
• your local Federal and State member, and
• the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
to voice your continued support for eradication of EI from Australia. Contact details are listed below : Hon Peter McGauran Federal Minster for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry Peter.McGauran.MP@aph.gov.au Parliamentary Office : Ph: (02) 6277 7520 Fax: (02) 6273 4120 Electoral Office Tel: (03) 5144 6744 Fax: (03) 5144 3945 Sen Kerry O’Brien Shadow Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry senator.obrien@aph.gov.au Parliamentary Office Ph (02) 6277 3842 Fax (02) 6277 3780 Electoral Office : Ph (03) 6334 9366 Fax : (03) 6334 9369
State Ministers for Agriculture
Qld Tim Mulherin dpi@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Electoral Office (07) 4957 8422 Fax: (07) 4951 4794
NSW Ian McDonald macdonald.office@macdonald.minister.nsw.gov.au
Phone (02) 9228 3344 Fax (02) 9228 3452
VIC Joe Helper joe.helper@parliament.vic.gov.au
Parliamentary Office Ph (03) 9658 4670 Fax (03) 9658 4631 Or Electoral Office Tel: (03) 5461 1255 Fax: (03) 5461 1631
SA Rory McEwen pirsa.ministers@state.sa.gov.au
Ph (08) 8226 0322 Fax (08) 8226 0316
WA Kim Chance kim-chance@dpc.wa.gov.au
Phone (08) 9213 6700 Fax: (08) 9213 6701
NT Chris Natt minister.natt@nt.gov.au
Phone: (08) 8901 4132 Fax: (08) 8901 4134

Copyright 2005 Australian Horse Industry Council

News from Tasmanian DPI

Folks

1. Permits will no longer be required for horse events. The key effect of this is that event organisers will not be required to have a vet onsite to check the health of horses entering the event site. The event organisers will still be expected to practise good biosecurity - in particular, good records of entrants' details and someone ( a vet or a steward or an event official) checking the horses for any signs of sickness on entry. I mightn't get the details on the website tonight. Event organisers are also encouraged to check with their insurers about any EI-related public liability issues.

2. The ban on interstate horses coming into Tasmania is being partially lifted. From 7 November, horses will be able to enter, under permit, from Victoria, WA, SA and the NT (ie the non-infected states). But not from NSW, Qld or the ACT. Again, mightn't get details (including the permit application form) on the website tonight. There'll be quite a few details - I'll email them as soon as they're finalised.

If you were at the Ulverstone meeting last Friday, I undertook to get answers on a few curly questions about the biosecurity requirements for horse events. Given the above changes, most if not all of those answers are irrelevant now. Phew!!

I'll email more information as it comes to hand. And the EI information evening being organised for southerners at the Horseland store in Derwent Park is still going ahead on Wed 7 Nov at 7pm.

Cheers,
Barry Calderbank

Another side to Post EI

I just spotted a post on another forum which brings up something I certainly havent thought of.
considering there are some 50 or 60,000 horses that have had EI without vaccinations this is another hidden cost we are not being warned about

QUOTE
LOGBOOK ENDORSEMENTS REGARDING EI

I have been advised by our Local DPI vet, not all horses that have had
EI have to be cleared by a blood test eg, we have 9 horses on our place
we only have to have blood tested 3 (at our expense), to be cleared and
our quarantine to be lifted. Our vet advised us to blood test the
horses we would compete.

My understanding is there is no record kept by the DPI regarding a
particular horse (Breed, Reg Number/name, Mare/Gelding/Stallion or age)
that have contacted EI only numbers of horses. Horses that have
suffered EI will not be microchipped once again only the vaccinated
horses will be recorded.

I was wondering if the NSWERA and/or AERA would agree to have our
currenty log books endorsed by the vet that our horses that have
suffered from EI are now clear.

NSW ERA member
UNQUOTE

my understanding is no horse can be moved without proof of having either been infected and recovered or vaccinated for many months.

what is the prospects for all those without the chip?

sandy

absolutely disgraceful that non-racehorse sector will bear the brunt

Maybe you are right VF about a demo to Canberra. It is absolutely
disgraceful that the non racehorse sector is going to bear the brunt
of the costs of containing EI which came into the country because the
quarantine procedures in this country have been dismally inadequate.
We ( I certainly didn't! ) didn't agree to paying 80% of the cost
which someone else has already agreed for us that we would pay. So
that means that on top of all the losses to the horse industry ( non
racehorse) this industry is to be slugged again for something that was
none of it's doing!
I certainly will have nothing to do with the Melbourne Cup, but then
again I never bet anyway so I'm afraid it won't make much difference!
Diane

Non-Veterinary Formulas for EI

I am quite annoyed to have read in several publications online or printed to ‘BEWARE’ of non veterinary formulas to combat EI.
There are literally 100’s of cases of horses treated Pre, During and Post EI with amazing results. These naturopathic formulas are decreasing signs, symptoms, severity and STOPPING secondary infections in most cases.
Some products on the market have over 40-50yrs scientific research behind them world wide!!!!
Surely boosting the immune systems of our horses would give them a head start in combating any ailment be it EI, Herpes or a common cold ?????

KCKZ
Qld

VOTE 1 - Peter McGauran

I'm sure there are many thinking other thoughts, but please give this some
serious thought, if Mr McGauran was to lose his safe seat of Gippsland, he
would get to walk away from this disaster and probably breath a huge sigh of
relief.

Peter McGauran currently holds the portfolio for Agricultural, Fisheries and
Forestry, and whilst many are probably wishing he was sitting on the back
bench with an empty manila folder, he isn't, he holds this very crucial
portfolio and the current EI crisis lays squarely at his feet at federal
level. Make him face the music over his handling of this crisis, which can
only be described as an unmitigated disaster.

Pete, if you are not too busy studying the form guide for the Melbourne Cup
or deciding which suit to wear to the Cup luncheon, perhaps you could
address the current crisis.

Many are speculating, that after the Melbourne Cup has been run, things are
going to change. I can't help but wonder if they are wrong and that with
the pending election this couldn't just be stoved off a little longer, or
can they?

Like many, I have read the AUSVETPLAN, and think its a great plan, I was
particularly pleased to see that it had been modified on the 24th August,
Edition 3 2007, 'major update and inclusion of new cost sharing agreement'.
It was great to see that the plan was dragged out and modified once EI was
discovered in Eastern Creek Quarantine station, although a shame that
knowing the biosecurity systems in place were so inadequate that nobody
thought to 'lockdown' the country as a precaution. A week or two
inconvenience might have been an easier pill to swollow than waiting til the
disease had run rampant around the state of NSW and crept into QLD.

Pete, I see the current Edition of the AUSVETPLAN is stamped 'Proof for
Approval', can you tell us if it has yet been approved or are you not done
re-writing it to suit a small sector of the horse industry, namely the
racing industry? Its a great plan and had you stuck to it, we may not be
in the current situation.

Under the AUSVETPLAN, it refers to agreement with industry, so after reading
the EAD Response Document I am pleased to see that there is actually a point
where you have to say, well we tried and we failed, time to clean up the
mess.

Stated clearly in the EAD under Cost Sharing
* Cost Sharing is not a bottomless pot of money. Government and Industry
Party Shares are capped;

I believe the 'agreed limit' is 1% GVP (Gross Value of Production of the
industry). This number is $36 million.

Pete, could you tell us, are you re-writing the EAD as well, is the capped
limit the same as the containment zone which keeps increasing by the week to
suit your political agenda?

The way I read the AUSVETPLAN, and given the widespread state of the crisis
the Govt could have declared it 'uncontrollable' a month ago and allowed
vaccination. I applaud you for at least appearing to give eradication a
good shot, however we all know that had the reality been accepted a month
ago, that may have guaranteed the virus escape into Victoria and disrupt the
Spring Carnival. Far better to gamble on the risk of another 30, 40 or
50,000 horses becoming infected, vaccinate the race horses and hope the
masses would do a better job than AQIS with biosecurity to stop it escaping
the containment lines. Well you lost that bet Pete, and many thousands of
horses and people are paying the price!

It is also interesting to note that under the EAD Deed document, the
Australian Horse Council is NOT party to the deed and the only
representation from the horse industry that is a party to the Deed is the
Australian Racing Board. The same board that have been calling for a
National Vaccination Policy.

From a recent press release you were quoted as saying you thought all
Governments should know by February whether eradication was possible, the
same press release that you mentioned that the Victorian Spring Carnival
horses should now be safe. I'm sure the racing industry in Victoria were
comforted by that announcement, but Pete, up here in the disaster zone WE
WERE NOT.

As we have now come close to this figure of $36 million, I believe this
Friday the NMG meeting will be making a decision on how to continue. So
Peter, will the other 80% of the horse industry find out the truth before or
after the Melbourne Cup, or are you going to try and stove this off a little
longer til after the election?

You also announced recently that you had signed off on ordering 500,000 more
doses of vaccine to contain and eradicate EI. No time line was given for
this vaccine to arrive, and we are still seeing on all the DPI media
releases and situation reports that vaccine supplies are limited. How can
this be Peter?

Peter, your seat may have been safe in the past, and your indiscretions with
the Travel rort affair was soon forgotten, many people probably don't even
know about the conflict of interest when you took the Interactive Gambling
(Moratorium) Bill 2000 through the House of Representatives whilst holding
significant and valuable interests in a poker machine venue called the
Millers Inn Hotel. Mr McGuaran, anyone that owns a horse that isn't a race
horse KNOWS about this EI disaster!

Pete, I'm not asking if your horses have been vaccinated, and I hope they
are all fit and well, but there are about 60 or 70,000 that are not doing so
well, either currently suffering from EI or recovering. Whilst tens of
thousands of others are at risk, so if you would be so good as to stop
playing politics with our horses welfare and our lives, we would appreciate
some honesty NOW, before the Melbourne Cup might even earn you a few votes!

Sincerely
Lynne
From the disaster zone up north

Werribee to be quarantine station for NSW stranded Vic horses and interstate Racehorses

MELBOURNE CUP TO STOP THE NATION LIKE NEVER BEFORE

The Premier John Brumby said this year's Melbourne Cup will stop the nation like never before, with Victoria's tough biosecurity measures ensuring the jewel in Australia's racing crown will go ahead.
Joined by Deputy Premier and Racing Minister Rob Hulls and Agriculture Minister Joe Helper, Mr Brumby inspected the biosecurity measures at Flemington Racecourse to minimise any possibility of equine influenza at the racecourse.
Mr Brumby also confirmed measures were in place to ensure that in the unlikely event of an outbreak of equine influenza elsewhere in the state, racehorses set to run in the Cup would be protected.
"The majority of horses involved in the upcoming Spring Racing Carnival events are stabled at Caulfield and Flemington," Mr Brumby said.
"In the extremely unlikely event of an outbreak of equine influenza elsewhere in the state, Caulfield and Flemington can be locked-down and kept in an exclusion zone, allowing racing to continue. Both Caulfield and Flemington have their own stringent biosecurity arrangements.
"International horses at Sandown and horses at other stables are also in carefully controlled environments with strict protocols governing their operation and race day movements. In short, Victorians can have confidence the Carnival is fully guarded and will proceed."
Mr Brumby said measures were in place at Flemington Racecourse to ensure any human-horse contact occurs within strictly controlled exclusion zones.
"But I can assure racegoers to the Melbourne Cup Carnival that they should not be significantly inconvenienced by the operation of the exclusion zones," he said.

Mr Brumby also announced that a quarantine site had been established at the Werribee Equestrian Centre which is expected to stable up to 50 horses at a time. Under nationally agreed, new quarantine rules, horses from non-equine-influenza zones interstate must spend at least two weeks in quarantine before coming to Victoria, followed by a further two weeks in quarantine in Victoria.
"Victorian horses stranded in NSW by the equine influenza outbreak will be given priority at the Werribee quarantine site, with interstate horses wanting to compete in Victorian races to follow," Mr Brumby said.
Mr Brumby praised all involved in Victoria's response to the outbreak of equine influenza in NSW and Queensland for their professionalism and commitment during such a challenging time.
"Through sheer hard work and determination of the thoroughbred racing industry, stakeholders and the broader community, the Spring Racing Carnival has been able to go ahead," he said.
"The number of pre-sold tickets to Flemington's four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival indicates another bumper Carnival, to be kicked off this Saturday with the AAMI VRC Derby."
Mr Hulls thanked the racing industry for its vigilance and cooperation in safeguarding the state from equine influenza and expressed his profound disappointment that the Federal Government had ignored Victoria in its assistance package.
"The Victorian thoroughbred and harness racing industries have effectively kept racing industries in NSW and Queensland afloat during the past two months, by continuing to supply a first class program of racing on which these states continued to derive wagering income," he said.
"Yet not one cent of the $227 million Federal Government compensation funding will be directed to the Victorian racing industry or the many community-based horse organisations, all of which have been devastated by the current situation.
"Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran, a fellow Victorian, should acknowledge the efforts of the Victorian racing industry and other Victorian horse organisations by providing a fair and equitable assistance package."
Mr Helper said the Brumby Government was aware of the many sacrifices made by horse associations, who have voluntarily cancelled events to help ensure that equine influenza does not come to Victoria.
"The Department of Primary Industries has begun talks with these organisations and we are hopeful they can begin holding events again in January, provided there are no outbreaks of equine influenza in Victoria," Mr Helper said.
"But the fight is not over. Border security controls continue to operate 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week at all crossing points between NSW and Victoria."
DPI is also making arrangements for the use of high resolution security cameras to assist border surveillance at the busiest crossing points.
"DPI has received more than 250 reports from members of the public of possible breaches of border security. All reports have been, or are being, investigated and the vast majority have turned out to be false alarms," Mr Helper said.
"DPI has issued 14 warning letters for minor or accidental breaches of border security. Two incidents involving horses being caught crossing the border are likely to result in prosecution."

Media release: From the Premier of Victoria Thursday, 1 November, 2007

Racehorses meeting at the beach for a swim yet recretaion clubs not allowed to 'gather'

From the Age website ........

YOU can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him … go in, in the case of Stockade at Safety Beach, near Dromana, yesterday.

The colt, one of trainer Lee Freedman's runners in the Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday, was with five stablemates for what the trainer called a "relaxer" and they headed straight in to the flat water just after 6am.

It took plenty of urging from rider Diane Hobbs for the youngster to get in one of nature's great wading pools, but having tested the chilly water he and Husonic, the stable's other acceptor in the classic race, relished the change from trackwork at Freedman's Rye headquarters. The beach brigade squelched along for about a kilometre before turning back.

"At this time of the year, we've got a float going to the beach nearly every day," Freedman said on inspecting the Derby waders back at his stables.

Actually, two floats yesterday: Stockade and Husonic in a six-horse truck with Incumbent (a runner in the Coolmore on Saturday), Saab starter Cefalu and two others running over the carnival, Sonic Quest and Satin Robes; and Moment Of Truth and Post Thyme in a two-horse float dispatched earlier.
Another to test the Safety Beach waters was English stayer Bay Story, with trainer Brian Ellison. He waded twice as far as the Freedman group as part of his regimen for one of the distance races on Tuesday.
So you can take a truck & float load of racehorses to the beach and who knows who else turns up yet the local Pony Club can't get together?????
HG Vic

Quarantine site at Werribee Park

"Mr Brumby said a quarantine site had also been established at the Werribee Equestrian Centre, which was expected to stable up to 50 horses at a time.

The site has been set up under new quarantine rules that require horses from non-equine influenza zones interstate to spend at least two weeks in quarantine before coming to Victoria, followed by a further two weeks in quarantine in Victoria.

"Victorian horses stranded in NSW by the equine influenza outbreak will be given priority at the Werribee quarantine site, with interstate horses wanting to compete in Victorian races to follow," he said."

The above information was found on The Age website. On further investigating we have found that all of the South side of Werribee Park including the stables and indoor schools have been booked by the DPI for two months. The North side of the Equestrian center including the polo fields and showjumping arenas remain free for competition.

When contacting the Victorian DPI they said a full press release will be available tomorrow.

$200 fine for Vic breach of EI Bio-security

BITTERSWEET DAY: Joy at personal milestones for Mitchell Beadman was tempered at Werribee yesterday when he was slapped with a $200 fine by stewards. The apprentice inadvertently breached equine influenza protocols when posing for photographs with female fans.
"I've got to cop it on the chin and learn from my mistakes," Beadman said.

Two days ago, the 17-year-old son of champion jockey Darren Beadman - now riding in Hong Kong - rode his 50th winner when steering Narratives to victory at Benalla. It was Beadman's fifth success in Victoria since leaving Sydney due to equine influenza.

"I am loving down here and the win at Benalla means my claim is now down to 1.5 kilograms at the provincials," he said.

www.smh.com.au

Melbourne Cup

Each year me and my horsey friends get together and watch the 'Race that stops the nation', this year we are boycotting the race on Principal as we Vic horsey girls have had ALL our upcoming shows cancelled. Instead we are going to still have a get together and have afternoon tea and collect all the money we would normally wager on the race (which is not much when you only bet a couple of dollars) and put this towards an EI Fund, I will be making the EI cupcakes at 50c each ('EI' in icing on the top) and we will celebrate the events to come in 2008!
Priscilla Vic

Government Demonstration from Brisbane to Canberra

HOW ABOUT A 4 WHEEL DRIVE, UTE, HORSE TRUCK, HORSE FLOAT DEMO TO STRETCH FROM BRISBANE TO CANBERRA?
The cost of trying to eradicate E I has now reached $36 million, and the horse industry has to be pay 80% of that, the only way left is radical demonstration to force the Government to pay for the whole thing, it was their fault in the first place anyway. It would have been good to do it on Melbourne Cup day but not enough to organise at this stage, let's set a date and do it, who is with me?
VF

BOYCOTT THE MELBOURNE CUP

Every Horse Deals reader is urged to boycott the Melbourne Cup by not taking out any bets, not going in any sweeps or going to any parties, or even watching the stupid race. It is all a waste of money anyway, and the fun has certainly gone out of it now.

VF

Thanks Horse Deals & love the free video downloads

Every morning after I've fed all the horses, I grab a cuppa and check out the Blog and EI Updates on Horse Deals Website, it seems to be alot more informative than the Government websites AND is updated alot more reguarly! Thanks Horse Deals, at least this gives us frustrated Horse owners a bit of a voice!
Must say I loved the video footage of Gene Redwood and Dale Plumb, this is just what I need to motivate myself to do some work on a couple of youngsters we have - this EI debarcle will have to end at some stage and maybe these babies will be ready to have a couple of outings!!
Thanks Horse Deals

Maureen NSW

Blow for Perth Summer Carnival

PERTH - Eastern state horses including Divine Madonna and Apache Cat have been effectively banned from this year's Perth summer carnival.
Perth racing officials have been thwarted in their attempt to bring east coast stars over for the summer carnival due to equine influenza concerns despite introducing isolation facilities.

"Despite the best horses in Australia wishing to race in Perth, the EI protocols put in place by the Dept of Agriculture, has meant that neither Toodyay or Belmont will be able to be used as Isolation Centres," Perth Racing said in a statement.
"A militant group in Toodyay have threatened to disrupt the isolation protocol ... in that event, the horses in isolation may be compromised and need to continue isolation over a protracted period.
"It is not appropriate for Perth Racing to compromise such top horses and trainers," the statement said.
Perth Racing officials also put forward Belmont as a previously accredited isolation centre that was ideally suited but that has also been ruled out due to "determined resistance and disruption from a number of parties".
Perth Racing CEO Alasdair Robertson said the Department of Agriculture's policies were "bizarre".
Up to 25 interstate horses were expected at the carnival.
Trainers such as David Hayes were prepared to serve the quarantine with their horses but, without suitable facilities for horses in training, that is now not an option.
To highlight the farce, jockey William Pike rode at Moonee Valley on Saturday and at Northam in WA on Sunday day without any restrictions.
From the www.turfmonthly.com.au website.

Interstate Horses Banned From WA Summer Carnival

From the www.breedingracing.com Website

Western Australia's Department Of Agriculture has aborted plans for 2 quarantine centres (at Belmont & Toodyay) proposed to facilitate the participation of interstate horses at the Perth summer carnival. Perth Racing chief executive Alasdair Robertson confirmed the plan has been dropped after threats from local pony club members (opposing the centres) to walk their horses within the required exclusion zones. (Nov 1)

GOOD ON THE PONY CLUBBERS!

An Opportunity Missed.

Clearly a great many people are concerned with and affected by the current and unprecedented epidemic of Equine Influenza. As we know, an enormous number of people are suffering. Therefore it was rather surprising, not to say disappointing, that despite being advertised for some time on the EFA Victoria website, there was such a small turn up to the EI information talk given by Dr Roger Paskin, prior to the Victorian EFA AGM on the 30th October. Dr Paskin is the Principal Veterinary Officer (Epidemiology) CVO Unit, Department of Primary Industries. Dr Paskin’s talk was informative, interesting and well presented and it is a pity only just over 20 people heard it. The next time someone asks what does the EFA do for us, think of this opportunity missed.

At the outset Dr Paskin did point out that he was an epidemiologist, not an economist or a politician. His outlook was entirely optimistic, declaring that due to the great efforts of all concerned, “we can now begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel”. Graphs were used to demonstrate the course of the epidemic in both NSW and Queensland, with a predicted plateauing out and forecast drop in Infected Premises and as a consequence infected horses. Dr Paskin explained that early in the epidemic, one IP would generate 2.5 Ips in a five day incubation period and now that infection rate had dropped to 0.8-0.9. This trend indicating the virus was fizzling out. “A property does not normally stay infected for more than a few weeks. What we are looking at now is roughly 2,500 IP and 25,000 infected horses, in a population of one million horses. Some areas like Narrabri are still unstable, but at places like Tamworth the virus is burning out, and in the Sydney basin, it is almost gone. Despite the hardship, people have been playing the game well and it is crucial to the control and eradication of the virus that they do not loose their momentum. The next few weeks will be very important and we will see a big change in that time, but people must remain vigilant. Optimistically I think the virus will be gone in NSW by Christmas. If I were to be pessimistic, it will be over in January or February. If it all goes well in Queensland, it will be over by mid December. The sun and the heat of summer will help to kill the virus, but people must be sensible”.

Maps were shown of the infected areas dotted over the countryside by the movement of horses early on. That these areas had for the most part been contained was according to Dr Paskin a successful and pleasing outcome. “You will not recognise the maps in January, but for the controls to continue working, everyone must continue to play ball”. Dr Paskin explained that from an epidemiologist’s point of view the first plan to let the virus run its course and burn out was the most sensible way to handle the disease, as a horse that has had the virus is safe from that strain for at least 12 months. However, the social, economic and political consequences of that were not acceptable. “Too many people were going to be out of business for a long time as a consequence”. Accordingly coloured zoning from free to no movement was established and limited ring vaccination was brought in, although this does add to the epidemiologist’s burden. “For us the Purple Zone is a nightmare as you have vaccinated horses, sick horses and recovered horses. This zone was established for economical and not bio-security reasons. It is vital that we know exactly where all the vaccinated horses are, as they have the potential to shed the virus without showing symptoms. Managing the Purple Zone is like unscrambling eggs.” After the 31st October there will be no movement in or out of the Purple Zone for the foreseeable future and all horses within the zone monitored. Interestingly we discovered that microchiping was not mandatory. De Paskin stated that the good freeze branding on Standardbreds was identification enough. It would follow that all horses branded and registered could be accordingly identified. Whatever happens we will all have to be more accountable.

The third plan discussed was to declare EI endemic and vaccinate. Dr Paskin echoed the already well know objections to this, namely the extra cost involved, incorporating the cost of both vaccination and testing. Also the vaccination/passport system then necessary would be an extra burden. The opposition to vaccination would put an extra economic burden on the horse owner. He explained that because it was not possible to vaccinate the entire horse population, a policy of vaccination, whether mandatory or voluntary would result in occasional EI outbreaks, as experienced in Europe and North America. Also any vaccination was only 80% effective. However, Dr Paskin felt that in his personal opinion and given the success thus far, limited horse activity would resume at the end of the year, “carefully and with appropriate controls”.

The question arose as to whether or not the virus was in Victoria and would emerge after the Cup? “To try and hide EI would be like trying to hide a bushfire. We have tested over 150 suspect properties in Victoria with a sophisticated process and they have all come back negative. Of course the risk for Victoria is still high, but I am confident there is no EI in Victoria at the moment”. Dr Paskin stressed that the next two weeks will be vital in keeping EI out and that people should not relax their bio-security. “It is impossible to stop everyone at the border, but we have cars and very effective surveillance cameras at all the crossings and that is working. We have investigated 216 horse float crossings and all but two have contained, alpacas, sheep and furniture. The two with horses will be prosecuted, so the system is working”.

Another question to arise was; if we do not vaccinate and again regain a clean and presumable naïve status, what will happen when there is another breach of quarantine and EI gets out again? Dr Paskin felt that the likelihood of anther outbreak in the next 20 years was unlikely. “A lot has happened in the last weeks and there will be a serious look at the quarantine service. It happened in South Africa in 2003 (first outbreak in 1986), but we have an exceptionally good network of vets in Australia and a cooperative and informed horse owning population. The Ausvetplan will be rewritten and we will have quicker recognition, diagnosis and control”. Dr Paskin mentioned early in the talk that one of the early problems was the where and how many affected, in essence to get the details of the disease in order to formulate a response. He felt that next time (God forbid) we would have a better plan.

Footnote.

It was interesting to note that during Dr Paskin’s talk it appeared that NSW and Queensland were each doing their own thing. “In NSW they are doing this and in Queensland they are doing that!” The colour zones are different in the two states and their approach to buffer zoning is different. How does that sit with and Ausvetplan and a National Management Group? Certainly to the layperson it looks confusing.

EI Update and Comments - 31 October 2007 - Franz Venhaus

The Equine Influenza crisis is far from over but there are some encouraging signs that the virus can be beaten if we hold our nerve, 'do the right thing' in terms of biosecurity and if vaccination progresses as planned in a targeted way. I have seen graphs that confirm this.

Would it not be great if the 'good news' was published widely even if projection have to be qualified with statements like 'barring major outbreaks'? There is a lot of information available for the privileged few at State and Federal level. Why not make it available in edited form to the public? And what about agreeing on a consistent approach to the same issues across States?

Vaccine

We get a lot of e-mails from members putting forward their views on what should happen with vaccination. (By the way, I am sorry to say that I simply can't answer all the ones I receive personally on a daily basis.) Please note that the National Management Group (NMG) agrees with the advice provided by the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease (CCEAD) that the 'canarypox' variety of vaccine is the most appropriate to use, rather than the 'Fort Dodge' version, which is an inactivated vaccine.
The canarypox vaccine gives better protection than inactivated products; nevertheless, there is evidence that this vaccine does not prevent ALL horses from becoming infected. The vaccine does suppress virus shedding, but does not always prevent it. Broader vaccination could thus do more harm than good in the current situation, particularly if the inactivated vaccine is used.
The other advantage of the canary pox vaccine is that it enables us to distinguish whether the antibodies a horse has developed are due to infection or due to vaccination.

Animal Health Australia (AHA), the regulatory body for vaccine issues, requires much stricter procedures for the (refrigerated) storage and transport, the administration and the "audit trail" of the canary pox vaccine than it does for the inactivated vaccine. The process of vaccinating also takes a lot more time because of microchipping and the documentation that is required. As a result, many doses of vaccine have not been used as yet because of the time it takes to "deliver" them. The roll-out to uninfected horses in the amber and red zones will be further slowed down as the second vaccination becomes due now for horses that have already been vaccinated. After we put a request to the NMG for broader vaccination of "equestrian" horses, there was some acceptance of our general argument, particularly in view of our Olympic preparation program. We wanted to make sure that a large portion of "competition horses" would not become infected if there were further outbreaks, because an infection would set back their training and competition program by several months.
We have now been asked to provide a "business case" that shows that we can comply with a large number of quite stringent conditions. There will be more telephone conferences on the subject before the situation is resolved.
Movement Control

Contrary to what many people believe, vaccination will not necessarily allow freedom of movement between zones and between States. Those of you, who have studied the material available on the various DPI (or equivalent) web sites, will have noticed that rules and regulations often differ between the jurisdictions even when they are in very similar circumstances. On top of this, some of the requirements appear so draconian that one wonders whether they were based on scientific risk assessment. I don't know whether we will ever achieve reasonable uniformity of approach among the States and Territories, but let us at least challenge some of the assumptions on which the rules are based and how they can then be different depending on where you live. We cannot always accept systems and procedures to be modelled on how things are done in the racing sector. Decision-makers need to learn and understand how our sport functions.

We have to question why the same protocol that has been used for the import of horses from overseas is now going to apply to horses that move from an infected to an uninfected zone or State within Australia. Is this requirement based on scientific risk assessment? Please note that we are talking about a minimum of 14 days in Pre-Export Quarantine (PEQ) in the infected zone and at least another 14 days Post-Arrival Quarantine (PAQ) in the uninfected zone. Special quarantine stations are supposed to be established for that purpose. We heard today that onwe of these is being set up within the Werribee equestrian centre.

Could someone please explain why it will take more than four weeks to establish whether a group of horses is infected and is shedding the virus? My understanding of the overseas import quarantine requirements was that they existed because horses came together in Australia from various places around the world where quarantine conditions and test accuracy could not always be guaranteed. The PAQ was supposed to confirm the horses' freedom of the disease. But in Australia, if for example horses were transported from infected areas to a quarantine station for PEQ, why do we require PAQ when they get to the uninfected zone? The current requirement virtually precludes any meaningful 'national' competition.
Most of the outbreaks in October have been blamed on human transfer of the virus. Now there are quarantine rules for coaches and trainers asking for 48 hours or even 72 hours (in at least one State) of isolation from horses before these people can give a coaching clinic in a disease-free State. Are we really so unsophisticated that we can't devise other methods than a three-day loss of income for coaches before they can teach in other States? In the meantime, ordinary folks can go to an infected property and then to an uninfected property and sneeze all over the horses there and no-one can really stop them.

So let’s work on a movement control system that is based on scientific evidence rather than one that reflects the views of other pressure groups.

Franz Venhaus

Horse flu experineces.

These are some of the not so good experiences we are facing from EI:::::::

We are a small business totally dependent on horses for survival. Our experience from the E.I. outbreak may help you from falling into the same traps.

We operate on land leased from the depts. of planning on a long-term lease.

We abide by all appropriate laws and requirements both in business matters and in animal welfare as a legitimate accountable business ie paying our taxes and not a cash-in-pocket hobby operator. My wife and I own the business but due to health and age issues, the horse activities are run by our 2 daughters...E.I was approaching quickly and we feared a probable shut-down and ceased all advertising/promotions etc to avoid accumulating costs.

Symptoms of EI first showed on 10th Oct and we notified the DPI, and closed the gates to the public, thus cutting-off our income from rides in the middle of the normally good-earning school holidays. The following week with no income, I had the awful job of laying-off both daughters, and with my wife and myself we all went to Centerlink to apply for the Equine Workers Hardship Supplement , One daughter was told "NO" because her husband works and she would not be eligible for any payment. The second is a single mother buying a home, she does receive a parenting payment from C/link so was told" nobody can receive 2 benefits from us and as she was effectively out of work and on a benifitee, she would need ti seek new employment. With the industry virtually closed down it would have to be out of the industry she has spent 25 yrs training in the horse industry.

The EFA info from Sept was said all people in horse industry could apply within reason.
My wife and I's application has to date not been questioned! With 90 horses with only unpaid volunteers to feed and look after unwell horses and with a diminishing stock of feed and no money coming in.

Next step was to apply for other assistance funding. EI Business Assistance Grant. Filling in the form question 5 is a minefield I honestly answered "NO" believing it to refer to MAJOR costs, as we had been lucky enough to treat the sick from our own store of Bute and antibiotic, apart from, cash purchases of disinfectants signage and protective biosuits, we were containing costs knowing we would have trouble paying for them if we went whole hog. The grant was rejected as I should of ticked "yes" even for lesser amounts out-of-pocket. I now have to appeal via C/link beaurocracy as the business sinks slowly into debit.

We also applied for "emergency" funding for CHAPS grants. And after 10 or so sleepless nights and increasingly hungry horses ..........nothing, not even a phone call. Meantime bills keep arriving, but can't be paid.

I am sure we are not unique in our inability to access help, and despite much political lauding of the rescue packages from the government cynically believe that we are at the "wrong” end of the equine industry chain. Perhaps we should” ditch" our much-loved and popular-with-the-kids, but very safe non-descript horses, and restock with totally unsuitable young high-spirited, delicate, high-maintain ace finely-bred beauties and try to teach no-experience, scared kids to enjoy the horse riding experience. Maybe we might then attract assistance by joining the "elite".

As a member of the Australian Horseriding Centres of NSW what we need is for someone perhaps in Media or Politics to "stir the pot for the small operators "and all recreational horse owners because at the present rate ,in a short time there will be no recreational horse riding available to the public. Horses will be the domain oh the rich and the gambling-backed, government assisted, organised, end-of town. Remember there are 10 times more horses on our side of the fence than theirs.

At the end of the current E.I disaster possibly with compulsory registration, vaccination, micro chipping all at our cost being forced onto even recreational owners none of us will be able to offer affordable horse riding, many will be out of work, business e.g. and perhaps abattoirs could be awash with unwanted, unaffordable cast-off horses and we don't want that do we?????????

CUT THE BUREAUCRACY
LETS GO RIDING!!!!!!!!!

Bryan Maynard
sugarloaf horse centre
campbelltown

THE LEGACY OF MORGAN PARK...

Usually, when I’m at ODE’s over two days, I arrive on the Friday to set up camp, orientate the horses, commence the competition “build-up” and generally lose myself in the atmosphere of this most wonderful of equine sports. When it’s all done, depending on the venue whereabouts and Show Jumping finish time on the Sunday, I’ll head off mid-afternoon to be home unpacked and ready to rest around 8pm…But not Sunday August 26th.

As Simon Goddard formally announced the cancellation of the Warwick World Cup Qualifier on that Sunday morning around 9.00am, I was tacked up and dressed ready to go across for Intro Show Jump. In that instant, everything changed as the enormity of the situation began to sink in. We were told of a 96 Hour Lockdown until Thursday, with a possibility of longer, and had to hurriedly re-think what was happening and how to handle it. My long suffering non-horsey partner was dismayed to be told… “I won’t be home tonight for dinner as usual darling but with a bit of luck, how does Thursday sound?”

The early days in the period from the Sunday to the Thursday including the minimum 30 Day Lockdown news and reluctant acceptance, infrastructure set-up, Peter Beattie’s visit, the DPI Meetings etc will no doubt be covered by other contributors. As I left at that time to return to employed work in Brisbane (I live on the Gold Coast), I want to share the subsequent experience from the point of view of an “absent” owner, returning on the weekends to see the horses, check with the carer and monitor the horses progress.

The first weekend back up there was the end of the first week of Lockdown, just 3 days after I had left. It was confirmed and now well entrenched that it was a 30 day minimum stay and a lot of establishment progress had been made. The carer scheme was formalized, although long before that I had come to a private paid arrangement with an acquaintance who was committed to staying the distance. This person gave me and my horses’ tremendous attention and I topped up the government payment in return for daily texts and/or phone call updates on my horses’ wellbeing.

I made four separate weekend treks up to Morgan Park, on two occasions staying overnight Saturday at the now famous Horse & Jockey at the front end of town.

The real pain for me was walking out of the compound on Sundays, looking back at two faces, ears pricked, and eyes sad but alert as if to say…”Don’t leave us here…”. That lasting picture in my mind accompanied me in the drive all the way home. As melodramatic as that may sound, I absolutely hated leaving them behind to pretty well stand there for 24 hours uninterrupted save for a bit of time in the newly erected day yards. At home, my horses are agisted 10 minutes away from home. I’m with them first thing every morning, last thing every night and most of the weekend. I don’t feel complete, if not in the company of horses. I missed most the spiritual contact.

Horses are everything to me. I stand in awe of them.

I’ve always loved the Foreword by Prince Phillip (no less) in the superb book “The Noble Horse” which goes along the lines of…”In the history of mankind, no animal has contributed more than the noble horse. Throughout the ages, in Agriculture, Transport, Industry, War, Sport and Recreation, he has been our quiet, willing and trusted friend…”

The Morgan Park Lockdown is now a part of EI folklore. Although a forced detainment, its origins laced with injustice, it proved that a community of people with a common and dedicated purpose can reside in difficulties and all pull together for a favourable and longer term result… in the name of the noble horse.

KGR (GOLD COAST)

BOYCOT the MELBOURNE CUP

BOYCOT the MELBOURNE CUP - the racing industry has sent our year into chaos, show these people how displeased we are!

Horses will need to be vaccinated every year at a substantial cost. The cost may be as much as $200 per year per horse. Horses will have to be microchipped and/or registered at a cost. There will be a cost to managing and administering the compulsory vaccination of competition horses which the horse industry will have to pay for.

If the EI isn't brought under control the racing industry should front the bill....

Unhappy Jane...

Mr Howard..

Did anyone see Mr Howard on the telly this morning saying how great it is that everything is OK for the Melbourne Cup!! It seems clear that he hasn’t taken a look at this website?
JH