Horse imports to NZ from Australia
I enquired as to when I might be able to bring the Appaloosa filly I purchased in May 2007 into New Zealand from southern NSW.
I was told that the import protocol had not been finalised and that MAF was waiting for confirmation and input from Biosecurity Australia before a date could be determined.
I was also informed that my filly, (frree of EI, never near or affected by the outbreak) would have to undergo at least five weeks quarantine and be inoculated against EI before entry into New Zealand.
My investigation into this situation has turned up some equally disturbing aspects. Especially the selfish attitude of border security staff in Australia and carelessness of the owners of tbs imported to Australia.
There is only two quarantine stations in New Zealand. Actually, only one at this stage. One is under construction at the Karaka Thoroughbred complex in South Auckland. The other I didn't get to find out where that was.
A recent news item at NZ Horsetalk stated:
No room at the inn if NZ opens borders to Aussie horses
December 17, 2007
by Neil Clarkson
New Zealand's existing quarantine facilities would be able to cope with only a fraction of the likely demand from trans-Tasman horse movements once the country re-opens its borders to horses from Australia.
The New Zealand Racing Board's publication, Inside Running, discussed the recent formation of a contingency planning group aimed at ensuring the country had cohesive risk management and plans in place should New Zealand be exposed to a similar equine-related crisis.
Greg Purcell, appointed as project manager for the group, was commenting on the eventual recommencement of horse imports from Australia.
The group, comprising representatives from equine and racing interests, was undertaking a review of New Zealand's current quarantine measures, he said.
"Last year, more than 1500 horses were imported from Australia to New Zealand," he said.
"However, the current New Zealand quarantine facilities can only house up to 20 horses.
"We will be working closely with MAF to ensure that appropriate quarantine facilities are established in New Zealand to manage the movement of horses across the Tasman."
Mr Purcell said a five-week quarantine period for all horses imported from Australia is likely to be introduced.
Horsetalk believes the quarantine protocol will allow for three weeks in quarantine in Australia before departure, with two weeks upon arrival in New Zealand.
Given that horses would be unable to come and go during confinement, that would allow the facilities to handle only 26 intakes a year of 20 horses, for an annual total of 520 - just a third of the annual numbers before the equine flu outbreak closed borders.
Mr Purcell said import quarantine restrictions were expected to continue until at least February 2009.
He said the New Zealand Racing Board had negotiated a contract with Intervet to secure a guaranteed supply of 70,000 doses of equine flu vaccine, should it be required, over the next 12 months. The vaccine would be for the exclusive use of the Racing Board. This is over and above the 50,000 doses of vaccine held by MAF, he said.
Looks like the racing fraternity has it pretty much covered for themselves...
The quarantine stations are privately owned and I expect that my $2,000 filly will now cost me another $5,000 for quarantine plus the travel cost of around $3,500. That adds up to quite an expensive show pony before she is schooled for riding.
I am annoyed that my innocent purchase has totally blown out of proportion, I don't have that sort of money and that I either have to bite the bullet and take out a personal loan or resell the horse in Australia.
I am a member of the Appaloosa Association of New Zealand and have been for 28 years. It is important that we are able to trade freely with Australia in equestrian matters (forget the racing fraternity).Our involvement with horses is for the love, not the money...
I believe the Australian government should pay for my horse's quarantine fees... what do you think?.
warmest regards from New Zealand if a little chilly around the edges...
Megan Colquhoun
311 Muriwai Valley Road
RD1, Waimauku
New Zealand
posted by Horse Deals at
10:16 am
1 Comments:
The Facility at Karaka is not new. The 'new' facilty is being developed on a TB stud. whoo hoo, does that give you an idea of when the NON racing equines will get a look in?
What is even more bizarre is that there is a requirement for 5 weeks quarantine for a disease which has an incubation period of 3-10 days. Don't know about you, but I would be prepared to pay for the PCR test which shows the horse has never had, has had and recovered or has been vaccinated for the equine flu.
Of course the nigger in the woodpile is the cohorts of horses which have now been vaccinated but are still capable of contracting the virus, shedding the virus but at a sub clinical level so it is not easily detected except by PCR. The so called 'Quik Fix' which ain't.
The AQIS and BNZ paper shufflers need to get with the new technology and utilise it. Had AQIS done this (as is done in other parts of the world - before the horses are even allowed off the plane) the whole debacle would never have happened. The bone needs to be pointed at other lapses also....
For what it is worth, leave your filly where she is in Oz. Sit it out as if Oz does manage eradication the Q requirements will be amended by 2009.
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