NSW to be EI-free by mid-March?

SYDNEY - New South Wales could be free of Equine Influenza by mid-March -- but new purple zone requirements are causing some gnashing of teeth.

From today, horse movement in the purple zone is not permitted without a travelling permit -- but the permits are only available as an online form on the rather daunting NSW DPI website.

It is not possible to print a hard copy of the document and fax or post it to the DPI, which creates problems in rural and remote areas and especially for members of non-profit groups who either do not have internet access at home or who are intimidated by the confusing array of forms on the DPI site.

With a number of vaccination and testing clinics planned at venues such as Scone, Denman and Wallabadah in coming weeks, some Upper Hunter residents are concerned that people may be dissuaded from participating due to confusion over online forms.

Others have suggested that the NSW DPI has intentionally made the process laborious and somewhat daunting in order to discourage horse movement in the purple zone in early 2008.

This is problematic not only for horse breeders but also for many community-based equestrian organisations endeavouring to get back on their feet in 2008, having been shut down since August. While there is much willingness to comply with DPI requirements, actually doing so is not as straightforward as it ought to be.

The last case of EI notified in the purple zone was December 21 and there have been no new cases since that date.

Acting Minister for Primary Industries, Verity Firth, said: “A period of time without new infection after March will need to pass to ensure EI has been eradicated once and for all".

NSW chief veterinary officer, Bruce Christie, said there were now less than 250 infected properties in NSW. Most of the properties are now not actively infected and a process is underway to clear them.

“At the height of outbreak there were more than 5800 infected properties and more than 200 new infected properties detected per day,” he said.

“It is a remarkable effort to turn this disease around in such a short amount of time.

“By the end of next month at least 50,000 horses will have been vaccinated as part of the eradication effort.

“Good biosecurity, reporting of suspect horses and sensible movement of animals is more crucial to the campaign than ever. There is no room for complacency; one undiagnosed sick horse could bring down the house of cards.”

Phone the NSW DPI EI hotline 1800 675 888 for more information.