HORSE INDUSTRY OBJECTS TO PAYING FOR EI

The Australian Horse Industry Council opposes the horse industry contributing to the cost of the recent EI emergency response.

At its meeting today the Board of the Australian Horse Industry Council unanimously agreed that it was opposed to horse owners paying the $100 million bill for the current EI outbreak. The AHIC has been involved in the Callinan Inquiry and is awaiting its outcomes. This should provide the basis of any decisions on EI.

A recent AHIC economic impact survey showed that the whole industry has been hit by this epidemic. It is feared that many small organisations, businesses and individuals will suffer if required to pay this levy and it would cause many breed societies to close their doors.

After years of industry consultation, the AHIC supports the concept of the imposition of an industry levy to help fund emergency disease responses. However, while it is appropriate in principle to have industry pay for a response to an exotic disease, this process must be equitable and fair in its implementation.

There are a number of draft levy Bills currently before the Federal Parliament. The AHIC is currently consulting with its members and the broader horse community to determine their responses to the details contained in these bills.

The AHIC is a national peak body representing the Australian horse industry. It is a not-for-profit organisation designed to represent the interests of horses and horse owners across all sectors.