Qld closer to unsaddling horse flu

Queensland is moving one step closer to shaking off the effects of last year's horse flu outbreak with a downgrading of animal movement restrictions.

State Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin said the amber zone covering south-east Queensland, where equine influenza (EI) struck horses last year, would on Friday revert to a green zone.

The change allows owners to move horses from the green zone into the white zone, which covers most of the state, and interstate for events, providing they carry proper documentation.

Mr Mulherin said the state was on track to becoming declared EI free by the middle of the year.

"We are in the final stages of confirming once and for all that we have eradicated EI from our state," Mr Mulherin said.

"If there are no further cases detected, we should be able to declare ourselves EI free by June 30, with international recognition of freedom on Christmas Day, one year after the last horses were known to be infected."

Owners need to complete a Queensland Horse Inter-zone Declaration in order to travel between zones.

Owners must keep two copies of the declaration, one retained at the place of departure and the other carried with the animals to their destination.

The declaration can be completed online at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or by contacting the DPI.