Equine influenza daily update - 5 December 2007

We are making a high priority to get events running again without risk of further disease spread.

The national requirements for moving between zones have not yet been finalised. This delay is very frustrating for everyone. When available we will post the requirements on the website.

We expect that there will be substantial quarantine periods (2 to 3 weeks) required before movement is allowed back to a less infected zone. The quarantine periods will be longer for vaccinated horses than for previously recovered horses reflecting the better immunity of recovered horses.

Vaccinating in red, amber and green zones

The NSW DPI is currently working on a policy and procedure to vaccinate horses from outside the purple or buffer zones that need to go the purple zone for sales, competitions or relocation. In summary, owners will apply to their vet who sends the request form into the Industry Liaison section of the DPI.

DPI approves an allocation of vaccine which the vet obtains from a veterinary wholesaler. Vets will administer vaccine and microchip the horse. All this will be at owner expense. Request forms are expected to be on the DPI website next week.

Read more.

Foster mum needed (Jimboomba Qld)

Hi ,I was born in the early hours of this morning 5/12/07 and sadly my mum passed away giving birth to me ..So if you know of a mum who would like to come and look after me and in return she will be treated like Royalty.. My owner did the right thing by my mum and her friends and had everyone vaccinated against EI ..If you can help please contact .. Glenn Pearce Ph 0755477044 Mob 0417697523 Email teamqeb@optusnet.com.au

Sold from ACT to NSW

"We had loads of calls and the first
buyer to come bought the little mare.
Many thanks to Horse Deals for the
great ad and the presentation of the
DVD. (December issue Horse Deals)




**click to enlarge**

MOVING HORSES ILLEGALLY COSTS MAN $2000

A 37-year-old Canberra man caught illegally moving horses under the veil of darkness has been fined $2000 in Queanbeyan Local Court, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.
“The man used a horse float to illegally move two horses from Murrumbateman in NSW to Victoria on 28 September,” Minister Macdonald said.
“Queanbeyan court heard he moved two riding ponies interstate to Victoria via a back route near Bombala.
“The man was fined for contravening an equine influenza control order under the Exotic Disease of Animals Act 1991.
“When the rest of the horse industry was working hard to stop the spread of EI this man was undermining their effort and the whole eradication campaign.”
Minister Macdonald said if the horses were infected with the flu, the illegal movement could have potentially spread EI into new parts of NSW and also Victoria, which is free from horse flu.
“This is a timely reminder that that there is no room for complacency when it comes to this contagious disease,” he said.
“The NSW DPI continues to work closely with NSW Police Force Rural Crime Investigation Unit to monitor compliance of existing regulations on horse movements.”
Meanwhile, a matter involving a 47-year-old man who allegedly moved a horse illegally during the EI horse standstill imposed by the NSW DPI is due to be heard at Boggabilla Local Court today.

Vic Polocrosse and the 2008 season

At the committee of Management meeting held on the 2nd of December 2007 after
consultation with experts in the field of EI the following decisions were made on regards to the 2008 Season –
No practices will be held until the 1st of February 2008
The 2008 season will commence on the 1st of March 2008
read the full report

Victoria Riding Pony Society

Show Update !

From the National (originally called Federal) meeting over the weekend came the directive to cease all Riding Pony shows until the end of March, due to the EI outbreak in Australia and our insurers statement that we would not be covered if we were to proceed with events.

A review of the situation will be made after this time, but this really means that the season is over for us now, here in Victoria.

The Equinade Riding Pony Pageant
Has been cancelled for this season.

The Youngstock Show
Has been cancelled for this season.

The Riding Pony of the Year Show
Has been cancelled for this season.

EI Again

DPI Leading the way in Strict Bio-Security Protocols

Can anyone answer this question for me.

With all these DPI meetings occuring, how many of you had to go through strict bio-security procedures before entering the meeting area with many other horse people in the SAME room. I was not asked to. I did mine outside my car parked down the road and before I got back in my car and showered when I got home.

I even was asked to sign in using the same pen as everyone else used....I used my own..
Did you also notice that some of the people who turned up for these meetings looked like they just got off a horse?
And these meetings are run by the DPI.

And they are telling us to follow SRICT BIO-SECURITY potocols.

How many of you took EI home.
Tracy Stead Equestrian Services

2008 ASHS National Championships postponed

18-24 MAY 08
2008 ASHS National Championships, Narrabri Showground, Narrabri NSW
Judy Field (02) 6796 4488 or email mjfield@northnet.com.au POSTPONED - NEW DATE TBA

NO SHOW SYDNEY

It comes to my notice that competition horses, not racehorses, in Victoria are still making the brunt of the sacrifices to protect our state from EI. Read the Sydney Show press release, horses either have to be vaccinated or have a blood test to prove their immunity, and be micro chipped to compete. Where does this leave Victorian horses, when the DPI and the racing authorities have snaffled all available vaccine and are not permitting competition horses to be done?? What other shows north of the border are going to follow suite, and how many years will this be enforced?? I have it in writing from Minister Joe Helper that 'there currently is NO legislated standstill in Victoria.' Why then, have all the shows in Victoria bowed under pressure and cancelled(except Ian Mouser at Tonimbuk, and the EFA showjumping committee). What laws run the show if the government doesn't? It will probably sound insane, but MAYBE in the long run, we would have been better off to have got EI!! Most would have then been vaccinated, certainly the race horses would have remained un effected!, and we would be soon getting on with our life again. If only we had a crystal ball?

JANE( ex Victorian Showie)