Vic bio-security rules relaxed at races

MELBOURNE - Biosecurity measures at all Victorian race meetings will be removed, Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) and Dr Hugh Millar from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) announced today.

RVL met with Dr Hugh Millar yesterday afternoon to receive an update on the status of Equine Influenza in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland.

The DPI reported that there has not been a long distance virus travel since November 2007 and in more recent times, no new infections reported.

There is a high degree of confidence that infection is no longer spreading; thousands of tests in NSW show no infection since mid-December.

RVL Chief Executive Officer Stephen Allanson said: “As a result of this update RVL and the DPI have agreed to remove the bio security measures at all Victorian race meetings effective from today”.

While horse movement restrictions remain in place between the states, the DPI in NSW and Queensland will conduct a comprehensive testing program in February and March to determine when the movement bans can be modified.

Over the course of the next 24 hours trainers and owners will be notified of a range of ongoing measures that will be required to be performed in the day to day training and caring of horses.

Allanson said, “RVL acknowledges and commends the tremendous support of the DPI, all clubs and participants in their actions to keep Victoria EI free.”