Shocked and Dismayed

It was with complete shock & dismay when I read yesterday, the WILFUL disregard for the movement of horses. This wasn't a case of a horse moving 10kms down the road to a greener pasture, this was a RACE HORSE connection, moving his horse from Randwick Racecourse - Purple zone, to my area Orange - Amber zone. Maybe I shouldn't be shocked, after all it is a race horse and they basically run to their own rules at everybody elses expense. .

Did this person have these horses screened and given the 100% all clear from the CVO ?? Did they give a rats about the owner of the property & what consequences they would have been in had they not reported this illegal movement ?? Did they take into consideration other horses on that property or any other horses in the vicinity ?? Regardless of whether or not the minister says they pose minimal risk, that risk is one that should never have happened.

Why are the majority of us doing the RIGHT thing when idiots like this jeopardise it for the rest of us. Our zone was being looked at to go Green zone in December, will this now be postponed ??

The BIG question is though, HOW did they get from Randwick to Orange & then back to Bathurst before they were stopped ??. They had to drive past an RTA weigh/checking station, numerous Police stations plus patrol cars and yet no one gave him a sideways glance. Unless the government departments that have the power to enforce the standstill of movement, start to take this issue seriously, then these types of people will continue to treat all of us as a huge joke.

I truly hope, along with every other horse owner I've spoken to today, that they slap the $44,000 fine that they keep threatening us with, on this fool. Until the government start making good these threats, there will be people moving horses illegally.

Unless people stop being so selfish and start to take this eradication project seriously, then I doubt we'll ever win the fight to be EI free. Start thinking about those of us who are really hurting the most, those of us that can't get government handouts & vaccinations etc. We still have to care for our horses just the same as you do, without help from the government & we don't need jerks like this risking the well being of our animals. I'm as eager as anyone to get a horse out of the purple zone, but I haven't even gone to see him as I didn't want to risk the virus hitching a ride back here & will only go to bring him home when I get the all clear.......I just can't believe someone would be this stupid.

Sue

VAS Ltd “Weight Lifter” Saddle Horse Championships Cancelled

VAS LTD MEDIA RELEASE - 22 November 2007-11-22

The VAS Ltd Saddle Horse Committee, with the endorsement of the VAS Ltd Board, announced today that they have regrettably decided to cancel the 2008 VAS Ltd “Weight Lifter” Saddle Horse Championships scheduled to be held early in the New Year.

VAS Ltd has been monitoring the Equine Influenza situation since the outbreak was announced on August 24 and has been involved in regular meetings with the Deparrtment of Primary Industries. The decision taken today by the Saddle Horse Committee and the VAS Ltd Board was not taken lightly.

VAS Ltd are disappointed that one of Victoria’s most prestigious Show Horse Events has fallen victim to the Equine Influenza Epidemic, but felt that January was not an option for running the event and rather than rescheduling, which may impinge on activities of our member societies, it was best to make an early decision and cancel.

A decision will be made in the near future on the qualifications and criteria for entry to the 2009 Championships.

VAS Ltd would like to thank all their sponsors, supporters, exhibitors and volunteers for their understanding and patience. We look forward to your continued support in 2009. Back bigger and better than ever!

Horse Deals Reports.........

After Horse Deals received reports of possible spread of EI due to the transportation of horses by Meat Buyers to abattoirs, we followed up with the DPI on the policy for transportation of Sick horses or horses for meat purpose. We apologise for any upset this may cause but unfortunately in the current situation we have received queries from readers who have aged or sick horses, especially on agistment farms that have had to remove them from the property. Unfortunately it has taken several weeks and many phone calls and emails to receive an answer that satisfied our questions........... This is their official reply...............

I have attached for you some information regarding horses and knackeries etc.

In relation to the question re the need for meat buyers and permits, yes they do need a permit every time they pick up a horse unless they are travelling within the purple zone.

Sale of horses and EI Owners must meet movement restrictions for their Zone as described in the EI Protection Plan. People can contact the EI hotline 1800 675 888 or go to the website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza to find out which zone they are in, and the movement restrictions for that zone In relation to the purchase of horses for knackeries, the NSW Food Act, Food Regulation 2004 (Schedule 4), outlines operational standards for knackeries. Under the Regulation knackeries are prohibited from slaughtering sick horses, this includes those with equine influenza. Movement restrictions and requirements for disinfection of equipment are the same as for any proposed horse movement and depend on the EI zone they are in.
Sale of vaccinated horses The vaccine being administered is ProteqFlu, an imported vaccine, which is allowed to be used under authorities and permits issued by the Commonwealth Government and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). The APVMA permits do not restrict the sale of the vaccinated horses or apply a withholding period. Movement regulations would apply, as per the EI zoning requirements, and standards under the Food Act would have to be met. Owners of vaccinated horses are required to notify the NSW DPI of the transfer of ownership, or death, of their horses. They also commented on the email: In relation to the question re the need for meat buyers and permits, yes they do need a permit every time they pick up a horse unless they are travelling within the purple zone.

EQUINE INFLUENZA EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – QUEENSLAND RED ZONE

Have you been disadvantaged financially by the E. I. Outbreak?

THE OPPORTUNITY STILL EXISTS TO WORK IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY ON HORSE INDUSTRY PROJECTS.
During the next twelve weeks, full or part time work is available for people who have lost a significant part of their income as a result of Equine Influenza. There will probably be a project in your district. You will be working with other people from the horse industry.
Attractive rates of pay.
Work programs are already running at Albion Park, Beaudesert, Burpengary, Caboolture, Deagon, Doomben, Eagle Farm, Gold Coast Turf Club, Gold Coast Parklands, Ipswich, Marburg and Redcliffe.
Projects are planned for many other Equine centres and Clubs.
HOTLINE: 1800 205 825

Funded by the Queensland Government under the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations’ Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

Barastoc Horse of the Year Commitee - Barastoc 2008

23 November 2007 MEDIA RELEASE
The Barastoc Horse of the Year Committee would like to announce that the planning for the 2008 show scheduled for February 14th to February 17th 2008 is still progressing well.
Schedules are online at www.Barastocshow.com or available from the EFA office on
03 9974 0511. Entries can be completed on line through Nominate.
The Barastoc Committee has re taken over the running of the APSB Classes for the 2008 show. Entries can still be made using the program provided by the APSB and forwarded to the details as listed on that schedule.

The EFA Vic Branch has released the following information regarding competitions and EI
COMPETITIONS & EI

INTERSTATE COMPETITIORS
“We encourage competitors to consider entering, if due to EI you are unable to cross the state border 100% of the entry fee will be refunded”

VICTORIAN COMPETITORS
We encourage you to consider entering; if there is an EI outbreak in Victoria and Shows are to be cancelled a full 100% refund of entries will apply
(Membership & registrations will not be refunded)

ALL COMPETITORS
If neither of the above apply, refunds will only be given “as per the schedule refund policy” per event.

The Committee is monitoring any DPI requirements and directives and any DPI paperwork / requirements or waivers required for the show will be advised and forwarded to competitors prior to the event.
Any further queries can be directed to Allan Bruno, 0438 557720, Fiona Mardling fiona@atlasrent.com.au / 0403 189177 or Fran Cleland 03 9745 2503

Long wait for showjumper may be ending

A QUARANTINE station to vet horses crossing the border will end 10 weeks of frustration and thousands of kilometres of travel for a Wodonga equestrian.

Showjumper Kelly Lees and four of her horses were stranded at Condoblin when authorities halted all movement across the country due to the equine influenza outbreak in August.
The horses were eventually allowed to move but only to the NSW border.
For the past 10 weeks they have been agisted on a property at Gerogery.
It has been a 40km round trip, four times a week since then for Mrs Lees.
But the possibility of the quarantine station at the Albury-Wodonga equestrian centre may bring an end to all that.
“It is great news but there is nothing set in concrete yet,” Mrs Lees said.
“The reality is this may be our only opportunity to get the horses across the Border for many months.
“It is pretty clear that they are not going to open up the Borders until the last case of EI has run its course.
“I’m just crossing my fingers and hoping it happens sooner rather than later.”
Mrs Lees said the risk of infection spreading from the quarantine station would be minimal.
“They are not going to take any risks.”

DEMOCRATS CANDIDATE SLATES NSW EQUINE FLU VACCINE SHUT-OUT

20 November 2007
Lyn Shumack, the Australian Democrats Senate candidate for NSW, has described as an "ethical scandal" reports that hundreds of NSW recreational and show horse owners are still unable to obtain flu vaccine for their animals.

"They deserve better attention than this. The flu crisis has been going on since early September, and it is time these owners were relieved of the constant fear for their animals' lives," Ms Shumack said.
"Recreational and show horses constitute 80 percent of the estimated 33,000 horse population in this state, yet the flu vaccines are just not available for them. Many of them say they'd be willing to pay for the treatment themselves -- which works out at two flu shots at $300 a shot -- if they could actually get their hands on the vaccine.
"It appears that the much-publicised Federal and State government rush to contain the equine flu crisis has focused on the rich racing, breeding and harness industry -- the standardbred and thoroughbred horses. The far bigger recreational and show population has been virtually left to fight the epidemic with no vaccines at all.
"And it's not because the government's supply of vaccines has run out. The Federal Government announced on October 17 that it would have enough doses to be able to vaccinate 300,000 horses in NSW and Queensland by the end of the year if need be.
"If that's true, why are many private vets and horse owners in this state unable to get the vaccines now?"
Ms Shumack said the decision to prop up the racing industry first raises a critical animal rights issue too. "It goes against all codes of practice on animal care to provide effective treatment for one relatively elite profit-making group at the expense of all others.
"The Australian Democrats would support any move by the recreational horse owners, and their industry voice, the Australian Horse Industry Council, to mount a sustained lobby for the release of enough vaccines to treat all horses in NSW, not just the racing breeds.
"It's clear that industry profit has prevailed over the plight of hundreds of families whose horses are beloved show steeds and pets and face the same risk of sickness and death as the racing thoroughbreds. "
"Our Australian Democrats Lower House candidate for Macarthur, Samantha Elliott-Halls, has been told of families staying awake night after night, maintaining a helpless vigil over their sick animals."

EFA Equestrian events: Light at the end of the tunnel?????

A meeting of members of the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease (CCEAD) and the National Management Group (NMG) supervising the Equine Influenza containment and eradication effort met in Sydney yesterday to review what had been done and achieved so far and what actions needed to follow, including vaccinations where appropriate.

The outcome of the meeting included a list of immediate action items and a number of issues that required a more strategic response.

It appeared that there was a better appreciation of the impact that the crisis has had on the sport and the horse industry and that there is now more focus on returning the industry to some level of ‘normality’ as soon as possible. This needs to be weighed against requirements for a successful eradication of the virus.

The “Proof of Freedom” Working Group of the CCEAD has been meeting to develop protocols that define requirements for the movement of horses across zones in infected States and into non-infected ‘jurisdictions’ (States and Territories). These will replace protocols that have been in place so far but are expected to be still rather onerous on organisers and competitors.

The new protocols should become available shortly after meetings taking place at the end of next week and are expected to apply for December 2007 and January 2008. Provided the EI containment and eradication effort continues on its promising course, conditions for horse movements and events could progressively become more relaxed from February onwards.

Conditions for movements and events WITHIN purple zones in NSW are likely to be tightened slightly in the near future to ensure that only horses gather that have been adequately vaccinated or have recovered from infection and are therefore immune.

As far as vaccination is concerned, the meeting encouraged organisers to restrict event participation to horses from within the zone in which the events take place. Events that are part of the Olympic preparation program will usually require cross-zone and/or interstate participation and particular conditions will apply.

Organisers of these events are requested to bring forward their entry closing dates to at least eight weeks before the start of the event so that horses requiring vaccination can be identified and inoculated in time for the event. For example, for events held in the purple zone (e.g. at SIEC), horses coming from other zones or from interstate would require vaccination. The first dose has to be given at least six weeks before the events and a booster not later than two weeks before the event. State DPIs will cooperate in the vaccination effort to ensure that these events achieve the required participation.

The first of these events will be the Olympic Team Dressage Assessment 03 – 05 February 2008 at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.

Quarantine order extended in Dubbo

The City Of Dubbo Turf Club and racing in the Central West was dealt a significant blow yesterday when the Club received notice that it is now under a further 50 day quarantine order commencing from November 13^th.

Earlier in the week the Club received a revocation of the quarantine order previously in place from the Department of Primary Industries and was preparing to reopen the gates at the race course at the end of the week however the latest notice has put an end to those plans.
“Apparently there are still a couple of horses on course shedding the virus despite having contracted it some time ago hence the decision of the DPI to enforce a further 50 day quarantine order” said Secretary Manager Troy Harley.
“We are in consultation with the DPI regarding the order in an attempt to have it revoked once these horses test clear to the shedding however early indications are that the venue will be quarantined now for at least a further 28 days”.
The quarantine order is a significant blow to not only the Club but also racing in the region as the Dubbo race course is a major regional training centre with an average of 100 horses in work at any time and these horse, particularly those not stabled on course, will be set back a further month from commencing serious training.Harley added “It is disappointing that we could get so close to normality only to have to shut the gates again for at least another month. It seems a little ridiculous but then again a fair bit of what has happened since the outbreak started can be described in that fashion”.

By: Dubbo - Friday, 23 November 2007

Pacing Club backs Premier on bio-breach

The Greens have tabled two statutory declarations in State Parliament from people who both say they saw the Premier, Paul Lennon, breach biosecurity barriers at the Elwick racetrack.

The barriers were established as a precaution against equine influenza.
Mr Lennon has previously said the only places he attended were at the request and under the supervision of the secretary of the Tasmanian Pacing Club, John Devereux.
But the Greens' Racing spokesman, Kim Booth, says the Premier has avoided answering questions in Parliament.
"The question that the Premier now needs to answer - which he's refused to answer in question time in parliament on a number of occasions is did he cross the quarantine barrier at Elwick Racetrack?" he asked.
The Tasmanian Pacing Club has given an account of incident.
The pacing club says when 'Hot Soky', part owned by Mr Lennon, won the feature race, the Premier was escorted by club officials to the downstairs area to have a photo taken with the race trophy.
Club secretary John Devereux says Mr Lennon was with a club official at all times, and the photo was taken inside the bio-security area.
He says any suggestion that Mr Lennon went near any horses, or into the parade ring, are false.
Mr Devereux says the trophy was presented in the parade ring to Mr Mike Jones, a part owner, who is also a licensed person.

Amber no go for trainers

By Christian Nicolussi
November 23, 2007 12:00am

RACING NSW was last night desperately trying to strike a deal with the Department of Primary Industries to entice trainers Robert Price and Scott Wade to compete at tomorrow's Kembla Grange meeting.

The pair, who have accepted with 14 runners for tomorrow's program - including five of the nine starters in the second event - were informed yesterday they would be forced to leave their horses on track for 14 days.
read the full story

Bitter war of words

JUST 24 hours before some of Melbourne's two-year-olds get yet another chance to line up for prizemoney in stakes races, Sydney's top trainers had one clear message: "Race all you like - you won't be winning our Golden Slipper."

The bitter rivalry between NSW and Victoria has hit an all-time high after equine influenza denied horses from crossing the Victorian border for the spring carnival.

Read the full story

By Christian Nicolussi
November 23, 2007 12:00am

EI Inquiry 1: Grooms Signed Docs Without Reading

Retired High Court judge Ian Callinan's Inquiry into how Equine Influenza entered Australia heard yesterday how jet-lagged grooms signed documents without reading them on arrival at Sydney's Eastern Creek Quarantine Station. James Carey, a senior groom who accompanied a group of stallions from Coolmore in Ireland on August 8, said flight delays meant the trip took 40 hours & all he wanted to do was settle the horses & go to bed, noting: "I recall meeting (station manager) Greg Hankins & signing papers before being given a swipe card & gate key. After a 40 or 50-hour trip from Ireland, we had problems with the flight & I was very badly jet-lagged; at that point, the best thing you want to do at that time of night is get settled as quickly as possible." Gabriel Walsh, another Coolmore groom on the same flight, said he was too tired to read what he was signing & merely flicked through the papers. One of the stallions in that shipment was Encosta De Lago, subsequently the 1st horse diagnosed with EI on August 17. (Nov 23)

Foal crop likely to be down 20%

SYDNEY – The 2008 NSW foal crop will be reduced by 10 to 20 per cent due to the Equine Influenza (EI) crisis, Aushorse chairman John Messara has forecast.

NSW accounts for 42 per cent of mare coverings and 41 per cent of the nation’s foal crop of around 18,000 annually; with 9,956 born so far this season, according to Australian Stud Book statistics.

“Fertility will be down on last year because mares that contracted EI had a higher level of re-absorption of foals and they have had to be served again, which is causing congestion in the month of November,” Messara said on ABC Radio today.

“The foal crop will be somewhere between 10 and 20 per cent below expectations,” he said.

Messara added that NSW breeders were endeavouring to find a solution to movement restrictions ahead of the yearling sales; with NSW yearlings likely to be prevented from participating in the Melbourne Premier Sale in early March.

“We are trying to work our way through these issues to enable horses to move and our horses to be sold in Victoria and Queensland, and ultimately, for people who buy horses to be able to take them home to the state where they are to be trained,” he said.

EI Inquiry: Nobody told AQIS

SYDNEY – Golden Snake had a temperature of 39.3 degrees and other symptoms on August 7 at the Eastern Creek Quarantine Centre in Sydney after arriving on a flight from Ireland.

The Callinan Inquiry into the outbreak of Equine Influenza (EI) heard that Golden Snake, Rakti and Desert King were considered to have travel sickness – the bacterial disease pleuropneumonia in the lungs and chest cavity in horses..

Read the full story