Comment on New comment on Breed Associations

AQIS stuffed big time in not following correct procedures in their quarantine station ( no doubt put under pressure from the thoroughbred to let their high priced and high money earning stallions out of quarantine ASAP, in the mean time the rest of the non horse racing industry in Australia has suffered since 24Aug 2007 and will suffer for a long time into the future. Thru all this the relevant State DPI'S have done what the the horse racing industry told them , finally they worked out how much the non racing sector of the horse world contributed to Government coffers and some assistance was begrudgingly directed to the non racing community. (only to keeps us quite and to be seen to be doing something).
So I agree the Federal Government Dept stuffed up and should pay and should also be accountable.

Flu 'breakthrough': 230 horses to cross into Vic

Nearly 230 horses will be moved to Victoria from New South Wales this weekend in the single largest movement since the beginning of the horse flu outbreak.

The horses are being taken across the border for the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale in March.
NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald says every precaution will be taken.
"These horses will be quarantined in Victoria for a period," he said.
"They have been tested in NSW and in terms of the truck movements themselves, appropriate levels of security will be employed."
Mr Macdonald says the move is a breakthrough.
"It's very clear that we are now getting back to more a normal situation in all parts of the horse industry, particularly the thoroughbred and racing industry," he said.
Strict national protocols for the transport of horses remain in place.

Red to amber – more of NSW edges towards EI freedom

NSW today edged one step closer to becoming clear of Equine Influenza (EI), with the risk zoning at eight locations scaled back from Red to Amber, Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, said today.
“This is another step towards having NSW horse flu free by the end of March,” Minister Macdonald said.
“There are currently infected horses on less than 50 properties in NSW and no new EI infections have been detected since 21 December 2007. These are certainly hopeful signs.
“The co-operation and support of horse owners has been crucial in getting to this point. They must remain vigilant and continue their efforts until we have finally won this battle.
”Only then can we reap the rewards for all the hardships endured over the last five months. It remains vital in the short term to report sick horses, enforce bio-security and abide by movement restrictions.”
As part of the Iemma Government’s EI Protection Plan Red Zones around the following districts have been reclassified to Amber Zones.
- Dubbo, Wellington, Narrabri, Gunnedah, Parkes, Forbes, Walcha and parts of the Grenfell district.
“These areas are now part of the lower risk amber zone where there is still a risk of infection, but no known infection,” Minister Macdonald said.
“The green zone has also been marginally increased by less than one per cent of NSW to free up movement restrictions for some horses previously in the amber zone.
“Extending the green zone has enabled movement restrictions to be eased in some areas near Dubbo, Wellington, Young, Southern Highlands, Illawarra and along the Queensland border.
“A total of 86% of NSW is now protected green zone, nine percent is amber, two percent is red and three percent purple.”
Full details on changes to all zone boundaries are available at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza

New comment on Breed Associations and Competitions

Far a I know there isn't an ag society game enough to hold a show with horses bar the sydney royal. and the list of who isn't going to have classes is longer than the list of who can go.

Really the putting on to show organisers to have to pay in the event of a lockdown is just another case of the government shirking its responsibility for the entire EI debacle.

They permitted its entrance to australia because of non existant biosecurity, read the callihan report if you are still in any doubt over that one. the head of AQIS was too busy to call a meeting to address the issues requesting amendment to the import protocols sent to her in 2004 to implement said request.

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE FOOTING ANY LOCKDOWN BILLS. or if they really are too strapped for cash after opening the floodgates for the millions spent on advertising then how about it comes out the super package of said head of AQIS?

Show societies didn't bring EI into Australia let those responsible for this utter mess foot the bill.

FULL STOP END OF STORY.

Sandi

Northside Gets Back in the Saddle

Article by Rachel Smith

Northside Riding Club, which draws a large number of members from the Northern Beaches, organised to be part of the Department of Primary Industry (DPI) Equine Influenza Surveillance Program on Sunday 20 January. Nearly 100 horses from the local area were blood tested for antibodies to the virus and micro chipped to allow them to move freely again.

In order to reduce the financial burden EI regulations placed on horse owners, the DPI have been attending a number of testing days held at various riding clubs around the state. Northside Riding Club quickly jumped at the chance to help its members get back in the saddle, organising a vet to visit the club grounds as well as subsidising the cost of the microchip.

The testing day not only was a benefit to club members, but also to many local equestrian business who have been struggling since the onset of EI in August last year. Riding school owners such as Jill Severn from Terrey Hills Riding School, and Soo Broster from Ardis Equestrian Centre, were able to have all their riding school horses tested and cleared at a minimal cost.

Northside Riding Club is planning a full calendar of horse activities for February and is hoping to encourage all its members to get back in the saddle. More information on upcoming events can be found at www.northsideridingclub.org.au.

Photo Caption: Northside Riding Club member Becky Soans watches on while veterinarian Brett Jones takes a blood sample from her horse Stork.

Thankfull Horse Person

I am a member of a successful equestrienne family and must say I am full of praise for the people involved in controlling the EI situation as they have . From where I'm looking we are so lucky not to have an Australia wide epidemic and I for one would much rather stay home from events for another 6 months, than have to live with the disease as they do O S. The minute we set foot on another showground it will be like we have never been away and we've had a bit of a change from the old routine to freshen us up and make us keener

Well done all involved in the eradication plan and we will be forever grateful

Cheers J.C.

Red Zone Events Up & Running

Just a quick note to advise that the Toowoomba Jump Club ran a successful Clem Smith Showjumping Clinic on the weekend just gone. DPI were in attendance checking permits, mircochip scanning & doing some nasal swabs. It was run over two days at Toowoomba Showgrounds. All went well and the DPI Liaison Officers should be congratulated. All good practice for the Clubs Showjumping Championships next weekend. Let’s get things back on track and stop all the negativity.

Happy Red Zoner.