Equestrian events in south east Queensland to resume

Equestrian events are poised to resume in the state's south east as concerns about Equine Influenza ease, Treasurer and Acting Minister for Primary industries and Fisheries Andrew Fraser said today.
"With no new cases reported since Christmas, there are now fewer than 300 infected properties in the Red Zone and that number is dropping each day,'' Mr Fraser said.
"There are 30 applications for events in the period from January to April.
"Event organisers have identified suitable sites and have committed to implementing strict biosecurity including blood tests to prevent any infection of healthy horses.
"That the pleasure and performance horse industry has reached this stage as quickly as it has is the result of the responsible approach taken by the horse industry as a whole and by the public.''
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Chief Inspector of Stock Dr Allison Crook said details of all approved events, the necessary protocols, biosecurity plans and contingency plans in the event of a lockdown were now available at www.dpi.qld.gov.au
"All event organisers must read these and comply with the requirements before making an application."
DPI&F events coordinator Simon Goddard said interest from organisers and competitors was enormous and people were obviously very keen to get back to normal business and competition.
"While DPI&F and horse groups are doing everything possible to facilitate this process, event organisers must appreciate that EI is far from over, and the highest levels of biosecurity will be needed to hold an event," he said.
Performance and Pleasure Horse Industry spokesperson Peter Toft said many event organisers had decided that only vaccinated or blood tested horse were eligible for nomination in the red zone.
"This is entirely appropriate, especially for the first few months of the event calendar for 2008," he said.
"Things are not back to normal yet and horse owners should not relax, but we all hope that the end is in sight.
"Hence we are working very closely with DPI&F to cautiously allow very tightly managed events to resume.
"It will be a real 'dipping the toe in the water' experience for event organisers, and DPI&F and equestrian sporting groups will be on hand to help in the running of these first events.
"I would encourage all event organisers and competitors to compete within their specific zones at this early stage.

"There will be plenty of time in the mid to latter part of 2008 for across-zone events if these first few events go well and there are no further cases of infection." For more information contact the event organiser, call 13 25 23 or visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au