Horse flu eradication effort continues

The New South Wales Government will renew its attack on horse flu, to rid the state of the virus.

Acting Primary Industries Minister Linda Burney says it is time to concentrate efforts on cleaning up the disease around Sydney, Tamworth and in the Hunter Valley.

About 84 per cent of the state is now considered free of the virus, but the government wants to completely eradicate it by mid-year.

Red tape measure to curb equine flu

HORSE owners in Sydney, Hunter Valley and Tamworth regions will be required to fill out statements whenever they move their animals.
The move is part of the ongoing bid to stamp out equine influenza.
Acting NSW Primary Industries Minister Linda Burney said the travelling horse statements would help identify remaining horse flu pockets.
All horse owners in the "purple zone" - covering Sydney, the Hunter and an area from Tamworth to Camden - would be required to complete the paperwork before moving horses from January 14.
"Our fight against this disease is moving into the purple zone with the ultimate view of stamping the disease out of this area once and for all," Ms Burney said.
About 84 per cent of the state is now free from horse flu.
"NSW Department of Primary Industries is recording only two new infected properties per week, and it has been several weeks since a new property was detected in the Hunter Valley," Ms Burney said.
"In NSW there are 1,194 EI-infected properties, while about 5,500 have been cleared of infection.
"Veterinary teams will continue surveillance testing and investigations throughout the area to identify remaining infected properties and identify parts of the zone that are free from the disease.
"Knowing where the disease is in the purple zone means we can stop its spread through tighter movement requirements from January 14 and strategic use of vaccine."
The areas in the purple zone have suffered a high rate of EI infection and are subject to strict biosecurity controls.
A number of other new requirements will also be in place from January 14, including the registration of all horse events and quarantine of new infected properties.
AAP

Horse travel statements to stamp out flu

HORSE owners in Sydney, Hunter Valley and Tamworth regions will be required to fill out statements whenever they move their animals as part of the ongoing bid to stamp out equine influenza.

Acting NSW Primary Industries Minister Linda Burney said the travelling horse statements would help identify remaining horse flu pockets.
All horse owners in the "purple zone" - covering Sydney, the Hunter and an area from Tamworth to Camden - would be required to complete the paperwork before moving horses from January 14.
"Our fight against this disease is moving into the purple zone with the ultimate view of stamping the disease out of this area once and for all," Ms Burney said.
About 84 per cent of the state is now free from horse flu.
"NSW Department of Primary Industries is recording only two new infected properties per week, and it has been several weeks since a new property was detected in the Hunter Valley," Ms Burney said.
"In NSW there are 1194 EI-infected properties, while about 5500 have been cleared of infection.
"Veterinary teams will continue surveillance testing and investigations throughout the area to identify remaining infected properties and identify parts of the zone that are free from the disease.
"Knowing where the disease is in the purple zone means we can stop its spread through tighter movement requirements from January 14 and strategic use of vaccine."
The areas in the purple zone have suffered a high rate of EI infection and are subject to strict biosecurity controls.
A number of other new requirements will also be in place from January 14, including the registration of all horse events and quarantine of new infected properties.

NSW tightens horse flu zone

New South Wales properties infected with equine influenza (EI) will be subjected to lengthy lockdowns again from next week.
Permits will be required for all horse transportation within the EI purple zone from January 14 under changes to its management.

All vehicles will have to go through strict decontamination when they leave the zone, which covers 3 per cent of NSW.
Horse events will have to be registered with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in case of any outbreak amongst competition horses.
Any property where EI occurs will be quarantined for 50 days and will be thoroughly investigated by department vets.
Acting Primary Industries Minister Linda Burney says the changes are part of efforts to eradicate the virus.
"There is going to be the capacity to move horses but obviously there has to be a travelling horse statement and a real focus if there are any more outbreaks," she said.
"The outbreaks have slowed down dramatically and we're very confident that slowly but surely, we're getting on top of this thing."

Non-racing sector recieves $1.94 million boost

The Victorian Government will provide $1.94 million towards rebuilding the state's non-racing horse sector which has been hit hardest by the Equine Influenza epidemic, Premier John Brumby, announced today.
"The Brumby Government considers non-racing horse owners to be one of the most important sectors affected by this disease, and we are committed to ensuring full recovery as soon as possible," Mr Brumby said.
"Although many business owners and individuals have successfully accessed federal funding,the State Government has identified a need to address the shortcomings of commonwealth initiatives and help Victoria's non-profit organisations that were ineligible for federal assistance."

The $1.94 million of funding will be allocated as follows:
• $1 million in the extension of grants for eligible non-profit organisations who have voluntarily cancelled events from November to December, further to the $500,000 in grants announced at the end of September;
• $42,250 for the 56 community meetings held in November;
• $500,000 to commence development of a new equine registration system and;
• $400,000 towards bringing Victorian non-race horses home, inline with national accepted protocols.

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Purple to green the next step in EI recovery

02 Jan 2008
The State Government will renew its attack on Equine Influenza targeting the purple zone in an effort to make NSW 100% free of horse flu, acting Primary Industries Minister Linda Burney said today.
Ms Burney said the first stage in the new process would see all horse owners in the special purple zone (which covers three percent of the State) complete a Travelling Horse Statement (THS) before moving horses.
“It is now time to concentrate efforts on cleaning up the disease in the EI purple zone around Sydney, the Hunter Valley and Tamworth,” she said.
“Our fight against this disease is moving into the purple zone with the ultimate view of stamping the disease out in this area once and for all.
“NSW DPI is recording only two new infected properties per week and it has been several weeks since a new property was detected in the Hunter Valley. In NSW there are 1194 EI infected properties while about 5500 have been cleared of infection.
“Veterinary teams will continue surveillance testing and investigations throughout the area to identify remaining infected properties and identify parts of the zone that are free from the disease.
“Knowing where the disease is in the purple zone means we can stop its spread through tighter movement requirements from January 14 and strategic use of vaccine.
“This latest move in the war on EI signals that the Iemma Government and the State’s horses industries continue to make steady advance against horse flu and its eradication.”
NSW deputy chief veterinary officer, Ian Roth, today said about 84 per cent of NSW is now part of the EI green zone, which is considered free of the contagious disease.
“Our goal remains complete eradication and ensuring all of the State gets back to being EI free so that our horse industries can enjoy a bright future,” he said.
Nationally-agreed-to requirements for horse owners in the purple zone from 14 January are:
* Use of Travelling Horse Statements;
* Registration of all horse events;
* Quarantining new infected properties; and
* Detailed investigation and tracing of all new infected properties.

Open Horse Show 26th January at Werribee

Entries close Tuesday 22nd January 2008. To be run under strict bio-security guidelines for current EFA members only.

See the program for full details