NZ Draft Import Standard After EI

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing announced that, following revocation of "the import health standard for horses from Australia" due to the Equine Influenza outbreak in August 2007, "new conditions have been drafted which are similar to requirements when importing from other countries that have Equine Influenza". Conditions include vaccination, 21 days pre-export quarantine, 14 days post-arrival quarantine & pre and post-arrival PCR testing. "To date, Australia has had no new cases of Equine Influenza since December; assuming eradication is achieved, the import health standard will be redrafted with reduced importation measures." The draft import health standard can be found at www.biosecurity.govt.nz/strategy-and-consultation/consultation/horses-from-australia. Comments on this draft document "are required to be forwarded to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand by close of business on March 10"; depending on the outcomes of consultation "it is anticipated the new requirements will be in place by March 21".