Thoroughbred industry urges horse flu report release

The Hunter's thoroughbred breeding sector is urging federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke not to delay releasing the equine influenza inquiry report, which is now with his department.

The independent inquiry heard several weeks of evidence from quarantine officials, stud representatives and riders involved in an event at Maitland, which is blamed for the virus escaping into the wider horse population.
The final report has been sent to Mr Burke.
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia president John Messara is hoping the document is released soon.
"I'd say the sooner the better. I think we need to sort ourselves out and know exactly where the industry stands, and in fact where the shortfalls have been, and how they're going to be remedied," he said.
"We're getting back into the shuttle season. It's on again in the next couple of months, horses are beginning to come out here and we need to be planning."

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