EI situation in Victoria.

02/11/07

While the Victorian Equestrian community sits and waits for EI to enter the State, a number of meetings are being conducted to try and prevent this from happening. Many people feel powerless and frustrated that decisions are just made without any consultation. Another annoying fact is there is very little communication from these meetings of the outcome or the discussions that have taken place, you just wake up one morning and Werribee Part is now a quarantine station!

When Horse Deals read the Victorian Premiers press release yesterday, stating that; “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,” our first call was to the Victorian EFA. We asked to speak to the always available CEO, Jackie Woodhead and we were told she was overseas at a family wedding, which was planned long before the outbreak of EI. We then spoke to Anita Smith (Executive P.A.) who was trying to be very helpful, but was also trying to get information from the DPI before she could issue a press release about Werribee Park. Poor Anita was being bombarded with calls about the quarantine station and its ramifications, and she had not been given any armoury to deal with the situation. While I had Anita on the phone I asked her about the outcome of the EFA, PCAV, VASA, HRCAV and DPI meeting held on Wednesday, as no group had issued a press release. Anita stated she was not at the meeting, the EFA representative was Bruce Chamberlian (EFA Victorian President) and he had been uncontactable.

Horse Deals then contacted the Australian Horse Industry Council. They explained to us that they originally thought the quarantine station planned by the state Government could not go ahead, as it states that there must be a 500 metre exclusion zone around any area declared a quarantine site. To the surprise of the AIHC this was changed to 100 meters and the proposal went ahead. The DPI had explained to the AIHC that Werribee Park was to be used only for Victorian horses stranded in NSW and Qld to return home, on the condition that they had spent eight weeks in a green zone, followed by two weeks in a quarantine site in NSW and then it was felt they were safe to go to Werribee. It was news to the AIHC that the quarantine proposal stated in the Premier’s press release also included racehorses to follow the stranded horses. The AIHC were immediately objecting to this utilisation of the Equestrian Centre. The quarantine area at Werribee would include all the area from the edge of the dressage arenas south; this has subsequently resulted in the cancellation of the EFA dressage event planned for the 10th November. Polo and events on the showjumping arenas at this stage are planned to go ahead.

However, our next call was to Paul Seuren (Executive Officer of VAS Ltd) who has been a fabulous correspondent during this EI crisis. Paul attends numerous meetings of behalf of the Agriculture Show societies, including the one on Wednesday with the EFA, PCAV etc. Paul (who comes from an equestrian back ground) explained that at the meeting, there was heated discussion about the fact the EFA was running competitions for their members, but also including events for HRCAV and PCAV members, when there was a directive from these two organisations that all events were cancelled until after Christmas. Both Paul and the AIHC indicated to us that the EFA had gone away to discuss the running of future events before Christmas. Paul also explained that the DPI was keen for small events like Pony Club rallies to start after Christmas in Victoria, but was really fearful of larger scale events and Agricultural shows that combined both horses and the public. A suggested solution to this was running part of an agricultural show on one day without horses and the following day with horses, but no public. However, a meeting later this month will dicsuss the running of horse events at Agricultural shows next year. The meeting was told by the DPI that the Purple Zone in NSW should be clear by the end of April 2008 and things should be back to normal by June 2008, as there must be a proving period following the clearing of the Zone, and that no new cases of EI are found before Australia is declared EI free. (The Purple Zone will be the last to be declared free) A meeting was conducted yesterday to try and get more State funding for cancelled equestrian events for early next year, however. at the moment the outcome of this meeting is unknown.

In the last few days, Horse Deals has also spoken to committee members of the Welsh and Quarter Horse societies and it has been indicated that all breed societies have voted for eradication of EI and not mass vaccination. Therefore due to many reasons breed shows in Victoria for at least the first three months of 2008 look unlikely. In NSW the running of major breed shows right up to the end of May now looks the likely outcome.

Horse Deals, through our extensive network of contacts, will endeavour to keep everyone informed about meetings and their outcomes, however, it is not always so easy.

Victorian DPI Situation Report - November 02 http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/_upload/files/vic%20dpi%20sitrep%20nov%2002.pdf

Victorian DPI Media Release - Over 50 Information Sessions Across Victoria http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/_upload/files/vic%20dpi%20media%20release%20sessions.pdf
North East Community Information Sessions http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/_upload/files/vic%20dpi%20sessions%20north%20east.pdf
South West Community Information Sessions http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/_upload/files/vic%20dpi%20sessions%20south%20west.pdf
Gippsland Community Information Sessions http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/_upload/files/vic%20dpi%20sessions%20gippsland.pdf
North West Community Information Sessions http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/_upload/files/vic%20dpi%20sessions%20north%20west.pdf

Bio Security measures at Glenburnie race course

A quick trip to the Glenburnie race course today showed the measures the racing industry has taken to prevent EI from entering South Australia.

Allegedly the Victorian horse without a valid permit has been injected with the first course of the LIVE vaccine within the past 30 days. Doesn't this mean contact with unvaccinated animals could be disastrous?

Interestingly, despite earlier reports, at the time these images were taken the vaccinated horse was still at the venue, said to be "hidden down the back" and vehicles towing floats were leaving without concern.

PIRSA to prosecute trainer re Mt Gambier Races EI Scare

A Victorian racehorse trainer will face a fine of up to $20,000 for bringing a horse into South Australia without a permit.

The horse was entered in today's Mt Gambier race meeting. It had received one of two scheduled vaccinations for equine influenza as part of Victoria's efforts to protect the spring racing carnival in that state.

Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rob Rahaley described the breach as disappointing.

"I understand an inquiry will be instigated by Thoroughbred Racing SA (TRSA) to establish how this breach of the permit system occurred and I look forward to the results," he said.

"The level of compliance in South Australia has been very high, and combined with the efforts from the non-racing equestrian industry, we have managed to keep South Australia free of equine influenza."

The horse has been tested by an on-course veterinarian and appeared clinically normal. The result of tests on the swabs taken should be known tomorrow.

The horse will be returned to Victoria tonight. It was withdrawn from racing today by the stewards.

PIRSA has asked all other trainers at today's meeting whose horses might have come into contact with the animal to observe their horses for signs of equine influenza and to keep them away from other horses and to report any symptoms to PIRSA immediately.

Background:
Horse flu has been detected in New South Wales and Queensland – the containment and eradication plan remains on track.

SA remains free of horse flu.

People wanting more information about horse flu can contact:
• PIRSA website – www.pir.sa.gov.au/horseflu
• PIRSA hotline – 1800 675 888

Supplied by PIRSA 2 November 2007

Govt urged to pay for all horse flu vaccinations

The Queensland Opposition says equine influenza vaccinations should be free for all pleasure and performance horses in the state's south-east.

The Coalition's primary industries spokesman, Mike Horan, says while thoroughbred and standard-bred horses have now been vaccinated, there has still been no commitment on pleasure and performance horses.

He says while the racing industry has paid for vaccinations up to now, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has told other owners they will have to pay up to $300 per horse for the vaccine if they live outside the buffer zones.

Mr Horan says pleasure and performance horses account for 80 per cent of the horse population and owners should not have to pay.
"I believe that the State and the Commonwealth should be looking at doing all the pleasure and performance horses for free to get this industry back on its feet," he said.


"It is worth many millions of dollars to south-east Queensland in jobs, in businesses and the economy, and it is just essential to get it fixed up."

Horse flu should be eradicated by Easter: NSW Govt

The New South Wales Government has declared the worst of the horse flu infection over.

Primary Industries Minister Ian MacDonald says a large part of the state has moved from high-risk to low-risk zones.
He says it means almost half of the red zone, which is about 4.5 million hectares, will be moved to amber zone status today.

Mr MacDonald says he hopes the disease will be eradicated by Easter next year.

"Eradication is our goal," he said. "We're not accepting that the disease is endemic.

"We believe that we will eradicate it in NSW as well as then providing the basis for working with industry into the future as to what sort of plans we'll put in place for the control and eradication of the disease."

The number of infections peaked on September 26 and has been steadily declining.

Mt Gambier horse flu alert

THE threat of equine influenza reaching South Australia heightened today after a breach of bio-security measures at the Mount Gambier racetrack.

More than 40 horses will be quarantined in their stables overnight while swab samples are analysed from a horse which crossed the Victorian border without a legitimate travel permit.

Trained at Warrnambool by former jockey Allan Peterson, Irish Gun - which has already received a primary vaccination against the EI virus - was a late scratching from race two when the discrepancy was discovered.

Horse and trainer are already travelling back into Victoria under the order of the SA Department Of Primary Industries.

Horse flu on the wane, says NSW govt

The equine influenza (EI) epidemic has turned the corner, NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald says, with some-high risk zones now declared less dangerous.

It is the first time since the outbreak of EI was detected on August 25 that high-risk zones have been downgraded in status, Mr Macdonald said.
Red zones in the western and north-western areas of the state, including parts of Coonamble, Moree Plains, Gwydir, Coonabarabran, Coolah and Dunedoo, will be moved to amber zone status.

"This is a turning point that the situation for the first time we're seeing areas move out of the high infection red zone into amber zones, where they are on watch essentially," Mr Macdonald told reporters in Sydney.
"This is the first positive change in zoning since the outbreak of the disease in late August," he said.

Read more.

Tasmanian News 2/11/07

Folks

Horse events

As I indicated in a brief email to you last night, the biosecurity requirements for horse events have changed. An updated biosecurity package is attached and is currently being loaded onto our website.

The key changes are ·

• A permit is no longer required but mandatory requirements must be complied with. ·
• The requirement that a vet check the horses onto the event site has been dropped. Instead, organisers should have the horses checked onto the site (for any signs of sickness) by a vet, a steward or an event offical. The point is that whoever does it should know what they are doing and be prepared to sign off that the check has been done before the horse goes onsite

Event organisers should still have a biosecurity plan in place for the event and we strongly recommend that they stick with our biosecurity plan template. The most important things are that only healthy horses be allowed entry and that there’s an accurate log of all horses entering and leaving the site - names, addresses, contacts etc - so that we can contact event participants and anybody else "at risk" quickly if a horse were to get sick with EI signs after the event. The entry form/declaration devised by the Equestrian Federation of Tasmania is excellent and should be used.

We still strongly advise that event organisers check with their insurer about EI-related public liability issues. And also check with the owner of the event site (if relevant) that they are happy with the plans - in particular the contingency plan for a lockdown. Please bear in mind that, if a horse were to become sick during the event and the signs were consistent with EI, the event would be locked down - and even if lab tests subsequently ruled out EI, that could easily be many hours later and possibly even a few days.

Please use the biosecurity plan template (link1) as the basis of your event’s biosecurity plan. Please contact us on 6233 6875 or by return email if you have any queries on any of this.

If you are planning an event, please remember we are here to offer biosecurity advice on any matters you are not sure about.

Horse flu information meeting.

There's an Equine Influenza meeting for interested horse folk at the Campbell Town hall on Saturday 10 November, starting at 12 noon. The contacts are Melita Gard in the North 0363302426 mgard@iprimus.com.au or Tracey Canham 0428 409 998 t.canham@yahoo.com.au in the South so please contact either for any details. I and Bruce Jackson, a DPIW vet, will be there, as will delegates from a similar meeting of recreational horse people at Ulverstone last Friday. My understanding is that there are two main objectives - firstly to discuss what happens from here, in terms of protecting Tasmanian horses from EI, and, secondly, for recreational horse folk in the state to consider the best way of developing their "clout" in terms of decision-making about the horse industry

For southern horse folk, don't forget there's an EI information evening at the Horseland store in Derwent Park on Wed 7 Nov starting at 7pm - bring a chair!!

Bringing interstate horses into Tasmania

I'll circulate more info on this later today. We are "crossing the t's" on the permit requirements this morning.

Cheers
Barry Calderbank

WERRIBEE – ARE THEY FOR REAL?

I just can’t believe that latest bloody decision this stupid Victorian Government has made.

What in the hell do they think they are doing? Didn’t EI spread from a quarantine place in the first place? And now they want to let interstate horses into Victoria and use OUR equestrian facilities to house interstate horses so they can continue with their precious racing. Selfish is all that comes to mind…..

What about us other non racing equine enthusiasts, we have all done our part and sat back patiently waiting for it to get under control before we can get back into our much loved sport / hobby and life. Our lives too have been drastically upset by this and yet we are still the ones that are continually punished.

I think it’s about bloody time they started to think of us too.

Mr. John Brumby needs to come and spend a couple of hours with some of us and I bet he will think a little bit different and will go away licking his wounds. I can guarantee you he will not get my votes at the next election that’s for sure. Money, money, money is all they ever think about.

So I guess we may as well kiss any chance goodbye for holding any events at Werribee in the near future L

Jacinta Rennie

Reply to "Hoppin Mad"

I know how frustrated you are Carmen. The DPI put out the information but then contradict it themselves. I too have a horse stuck in the "purple zone" that has had EI and will nearly be out of the 50 days, well he would have been had the zone he was in stayed Red. Going on the DPI's info i.e., that after 30 days the horses would not pose a risk to other horses, then one would assume that it would be safe to move that animal to another zone. But no, for some reason.....best known to themselves, this is not the case. If washing our car, float, ourselves, clothes etc is enough to de-contaminate, they why cant we wash the horse ??

They are looking to change my area where I live from Amber to Green, possibly by December even though we are surrounded by EI North (50kms away) & West (70kms) of us. All it would take is one person to not wash their car or boots properly and whamoo, EI hits. Who's going to want to risk moving a horse anywhere and getting stuck in a "lockdown" situation again away from home ?? I certainly wouldn't especially as I'm already paying agistment for my horse in the purple zone, which to all intents & purposes could really be allowed to come home and eat grass here for free. They are currently testing pockets of horses close to the major town, then they are apparently testing horses further out and if all clear then we get to go green....big whoopee. Taking bets as to how long we stay green, Temora wasn't green for very long........

They (the DPI) are looking to have just green and purple zones, early next year - yay, & if your horse has been vaccinated or immune after having EI, you will be allowed to cross the borders and go to comps in either zone. Um......immune horses I can understand, but aren't they telling us that vaccinated horses aren't immune and can still carry the virus ?? They say that vaccinated horses still get sick...just not as bad as unvaccinated horses and that the vaccine can mask symptoms . So we get a vaccinated horse that comes out of the "hot spot" purple zone, and potentially can infect the majority of horses that are currently unvaccinated in the green zones.....that's clever. I know that they are trying to get us going as "quick as possible" but there are a lot of us out here that won't be vaccinated so how do we protect ourselves ?

I am getting seriously depressed at this situation. When I last conversed with the DPI I was told that they were looking at implementing a program which would allow horses currently stuck in the purple zones that were immune, to be tested and if proven clear etc, they would be allowed home - on a case by case basis. They told me that it should be within the "next 2 weeks" so that makes it now. Still haven't heard anything back to say its been implemented. So that was probably a stalling tactic too.

Whilst everyone is busy changing zones etc and hopefully by next June the borders will be lifted and we'll be EI free, what steps/measures has our wonderful government put in place to prevent this from happening again. Will shuttle stallions be made to do the same amount of time in quarantine as other equines ?? Will all horses coming into Australia be made to be vaccinated with the Canary Pox vaccine as it's supposedly the best ?? Will they not allow horses to enter they country if they are coming from a country that currently has an outbreak of EI ? Will ALL horses, donkey, mules etc, coming to Australia, be tested prior to leaving their country for EI ??? These are questions I'd like answered NOW, because if they aren't looking towards the future right now, we could all be doing this again next year....... wouldn't that be fun, NOT.

So your not alone Carmen

Sue

" I can only please one person at a time, & today is not your day. Tomorrow isn't looking promising either."

Racing in NSW

Trainers at Rosehill are decontaminating their stables after the arrival of equine flu. Inspectors from the Department of Primary Industry and Racing NSW officials are due to inspect the track on Monday with a view to allowing horses to re-enter the precinct.

Gosford Race Club hosts an EI-enforced meeting on Saturday.

NSW winning the war against horse flu: Macdonald

(Click on map to enlarge)
The Iemma Government’s campaign to eradicate Horse Flu turned a corner today with the equine influenza (EI) status of a large part of NSW moving from high risk to lower risk, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald, said today.

Minister Macdonald said the second phase of the Iemma Government’s plan to defeat the exotic disease which escaped from Federal quarantine was now underway.

“The Iemma Government has spent about $19 million so far on its effort to eradicate EI from NSW, we are running within the estimated budget and there is no doubt we have reached major milestones,” Minister Macdonald said.
“Infection in NSW peaked on 26 September and since then has been steadily declining.
“And today almost half of the NSW Red Zone - about 4.5 million hectares - will be moved to Amber Zone status
“All or parts of the Coonamble, Moree Plains, Gwydir, Coonabarabran, Coolah and Dunedoo districts have now been changed to Amber.
“Testing has provided us with confidence that these areas are free from disease and can now be moved back to Amber Zone status.
“This is great news for the thousands of horse owners in these regions. Today’s changes put them one step closer to becoming an EI Protection Green Zone and testing will continue to achieve proof-of-freedom in the future.
Minster Macdonald said Phase Two of the EI Protection Plan includes:

• Continued revision of zoning boundaries;
• Second round vaccinations targeting 18,000 plus animals;
• Exhaustive proof-of-freedom testing along the north coast to ultimately move 15 Local Government Areas from Amber to Green;
• Further testing in other Amber Zones to move areas to EI Protected Green;
• Vaccination of priority uninfected horses in the Purple Zone;
• Continued public awareness and education on EI and the importance of biosecurity;
• Whole of NSW government response through the State Disaster Plan;
• Compliance monitoring to ensure horse owners are following zoning rules; and
• Extension of the Permit and Travelling Horse Statement systems.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that this is the single largest advance made on beating this disease since vaccine was introduced and the Iemma Government implemented its four-colour EI Protection Plan system zoning on 23 September,” Minister Macdonald said.
“And there is further good news with the NSW DPI currently conducting exhaustive testing at Wauchope, Berry, Walcha and Moree to resolve the status of infected properties and move further areas from Red to Amber Zone status.”

Minister Macdonald said NSW was working with interstate and Commonwealth counterparts as well as industry and is confident the approach was working.
“Phase Two of the EI Protection Plan efforts will now focus on proof-of-freedom testing and completion of second round horse flu vaccinations,” Minister Macdonald said.
“Our intention has always been to contain the infection and ultimately eradicate it completely. This goal is reflected in our plan”
Minister Macdonald will meet with State and Federal counterparts later today where he will officially unveil Phase Two of the NSW EI Protection Plan.
The new NSW EI Protection Plan zoning breakdown is:

60% of NSW is Protected Green Zone;
29% is Amber;
8% is Red; and
3% is Purple.

Supplied by NSW DPI Friday, 2 November, 2007

NSW Pony Club over-achievers sought

The New South Wales Pony Club is after members who have gone on to achieve great things.

It has launched its "Where are they now?" competition to track down members, past or present, who are doing something interesting, exciting or special.

Those who make nominations are in the running to win one of three $A100 horse-related prize packs.

The over-achievers don't have to have made their mark in the horse world. They could be politicians, high-profile lawyers, writers, or top competitors in other sports.

Pony Club members who have gone on to become elite riders include Phillip Dutton (Olympic gold medallist in 1996 and 2000), Andrew Hoy (three-time Olympic gold medallist) and Edwina Alexander (4th in the World Equestrian Games in showjumping).

Read more.

Contact Your Federal Member

Thursday, 1 November 2007

The entire sport and leisure horse industry can asssit us in communicating with the Federal Parliament about the impact EI has had on our community by contacting your local federal MP. A list of federal MPs can be found here http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/index.htm

It would be most uselful if you presented ways in which the Federal Government can help you in your circumstances by providing practical solution ideas, particualrly in relation to those who have not yet been supported by the federal funding packages offered, for example those who do not qualify for professional, wage or business assistance. For more excellent information regardig how you can more effectively lobby your local MPs, the National EFA website has a detailed report on how to make your voice heard. Click here for more information.

Influenza outbreak sidelines Apache Cat

ONE of Australia's leading sprint stars, Apache Cat, has become a victim of the equine influenza outbreak in NSW and Queensland, with the five-year-old heading for the spelling paddock after an adverse reaction to his inoculation.

A disappointed trainer Greg Eurell said yesterday he was not prepared to take any risks with the group 1 winner after the horse appeared to be lethargic following his mandatory inoculation earlier this month.

"We had him vaccinated against equine influenza three weeks ago but his blood picture was not good," Eurell said. "I think the injection has knocked him around a little bit and flattened him, so to go on to Hong Kong, we'll be chasing our tail."

Read more.

WPNEC Quarantine

Have the DPI gone mad, quarantine at Werribee Park for interstate horses
wanting to race in Victoria! Surely this is madness to let horses from EI affected States into Victoria, I am flabbergasted at this latest chapter in the EI debacle.

Sharen Virtanen

Give with one hand take with the other

What an interesting week to say the least, three weeks ago I went to the trouble of submitting an application for the EI Vaccinations, we are a very small stud with 9 horses two of those foals approaching 4 months and all of them are family members not just stud stock to us.

Last Friday I received news and found we were in the new buffer zone and would receive the vaccinations for free which was a huge relief as I didn't hold much hope for my application as we have miniatures, so I rang my vet on that day got all of my details taken and had a great weekend hoping the vaccinations would be soon. I rang the vet again on Monday to confirm that we were definitely in the buffer zone and when could I expect them?

I was told that she remembered me from Friday we were definitely on the list and the vet would be here on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday so understanding how busy they were Wednesday passed and no vet. I rang the vet on Thursday to discover that we would no longer be receiving the vaccination as the buffer had changed and I had missed out solely just because my vet couldn't make it to me.

Needless to say the emotions have been on a huge roller coaster ride, where is the fairness in that? Considering many had already received it in this area and I have heard of studs receiving the vaccination whom had already contracted EI and thus another waste of vaccinations why has there been no mention of this? The DPI today suggested that they were trying not to waste vaccinations as they only had a limited amount um vaccinating in an area for 7 days then repositioning the buffer zones seems like a waste to me if they are trying to make a so called buffer, don't get me wrong I am very happy for the folks that did achieve success by getting their horses vaccinated in the area though.

So I decided to pursue to a higher power, this led to an interesting adventure to say the least, I called the DPI Influenza hotline to which I was then transfered to the DPI in Rockhampton after being on hold for at least 15 minutes minimal I was then put on hold and a lovely lass then gave me another number to call another department of the DPI, sigh of course it wasn't the right number I was told that they would call me back, well am still waiting for a call from last Thursday LOL, so wasn't falling for that, the gent was ever so helpful but he was being told by his fellow colleges that he couldn't give me the number he wanted to.

I asked him what department it was and he told me it was the Equine Vaccination Centre, well luck would have it that I had that number on my mobile from when I submitted my form and they rang me back with an enquiry so I then proceeded to call them, this is about lunch time and still no return calls from the two calls I made this morning and told they would get back to me surprise surprise, not holding my breath on that one. Well got through to the vaccination centre and a lovely lass there tried to transfer me through but lost the connection granted she was good enough to call me back only to find that the person she had to put me through was on a call and so she proceeded to give me her number, I tried for another 10 minutes to get through and someone was silly enough to pick up the phone, not the person that I had originally rang for but granted this lady was able to help me better than most so far.

So the situation stands that I have to suck it up and just deal that I am now not getting the vaccination because my vet could not get to me to do it and had to choose who he thought he should do, my application has not been approved but may be reassessed and that my vet is trying to get those of us that are interested in having the vaccinations a chance of being able to receive them at the cost of $75 per horse to which I also don't hold much chance of success.

I imagine that my situation is very similar to many folks out there, and the most frustrating thing is to have been so close to getting it yet so far......................................

Veronica Sorley
Mini Star Stud
www.ministarstud.com