NSW tightens horse flu zone

New South Wales properties infected with equine influenza (EI) will be subjected to lengthy lockdowns again from next week.
Permits will be required for all horse transportation within the EI purple zone from January 14 under changes to its management.

All vehicles will have to go through strict decontamination when they leave the zone, which covers 3 per cent of NSW.
Horse events will have to be registered with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in case of any outbreak amongst competition horses.
Any property where EI occurs will be quarantined for 50 days and will be thoroughly investigated by department vets.
Acting Primary Industries Minister Linda Burney says the changes are part of efforts to eradicate the virus.
"There is going to be the capacity to move horses but obviously there has to be a travelling horse statement and a real focus if there are any more outbreaks," she said.
"The outbreaks have slowed down dramatically and we're very confident that slowly but surely, we're getting on top of this thing."