Qld EI quarantine facility set to open

Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) says a new quarantine area to allow the industry to improve travel in the lead-up to the state's winter racing carnival could be in operation by Monday.
QRL chief operations manager Malcolm Tuttle on Thursday said it was hoped the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) would approve Grandview Stud, at Peak Crossing, south-west of Brisbane, as a quarantine facility by Friday, which would allow its operation on Monday.
It would then be used to more easily move horses between red, amber and green zones within Queensland and interstate which were established to overcome last year's equine influenza (EI) outbreak, Mr Tuttle said.
Up to 18 horses would be able to be quarantined in any week, accommodating those either spelling or pre-training.
The horses would be brought in on a Monday afternoon, and leave the following Monday morning after testing cleared them of carrying EI.
"Top of our mind is the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival that before too long will be upon us and also the need to free up movement of horses," he said.
He said the facility would be part of ensuring horses could travel into and around Queensland and then return to their base in Queensland or interstate.
"For example, if we were unable to facilitate the return of these horses to Victoria and NSW, it would be unlikely that they would come for any period of time," he said.
Mr Tuttle said the industry would measure whether the 17 quarantine spaces per week was enough before deciding whether more similar facilities were needed.
Comment from DPI&F was being sought.
Meanwhile, Mr Tuttle said the number of EI infected premises in the south-east corner had dropped to 827 Thursday after reaching a peak of approximately 2,200 in mid November 2007.