South Australia relaxes EI restrictions

Australia is well on the Road to Eradication, changes to the strict requirements in place to protect South Australia's horse industry will be relaxed as of tomorrow, Friday February the 1st. This will reflect the increased confidence that Equine Influenza will be eradicated with the next month or two.

What this means at a glance:
Events must be registered (by event organiser)
EPD/HHS papers must be completed(by competitors/owners)
Permits for interstate movements (by competitors/owners)

As a 'controlled' state, PIRSA has to power to enforce particular protocols, however we will see the roll-back of the 'Permit' system to a 'Registration' system for gathering of 10 or more horses from more than 2 properties. This will make running an event easier with the 'recommendation' for events with less than 50 horses to use the Biosecurity measures and more than 50 horses to use the biosecurity measures plus have a contingency plan in place, however, this will not be enforceable but highly recommended.

Movement of Horses from the new 'White Zones' (previously the Green Zones) in NSW & Qld into South Australia will be allowed under permit with a relaxation of pre-entry and post arrival requirements.

Click here and scroll down to the 'Horse non-racing events from 1 February 2008'

Horse flu-free declaration looms

Australia's chief veterinary officer says the country should be provisionally free of equine influenza by the middle of March.

Dr Andy Carroll says from that date only a permit will be needed to move horses to Victoria from old infected zones in New South Wales and Queensland.
Dr Carroll says the relaxation of quarantine and disease testing measures means horse industries can soon return to normal business.
He says although there has been no transfer of infection since December, horse owners must continue taking biosecurity measures.
"The disease is not circulating as much and we've adjusted things according to that," he said.
"Even from the old infected zones it's now become easier for movement, and certainly from the old non-infected zones in Queensland and NSW, into places like Victoria, it's enormously easier."

Callinan Commission

AHIC has made a submission to the Callinan Commission of Inquiry into the EI outbreak. The Commission is to resume hearings on 24 January, and expects to hear more evidence over the coming month or so. AHIC urges anybody with any evidence that can assist the Commissioner in his deliberations to make themselves known and provide their information. It is possible for anonymity if somebody considers that this to be an important aspect of providing information to the Commission. The date for submission of the final report is 24 April 2008. - not all that far off now. There has been plenty of interesting significant evidence information presented so far, and it will be interesting to see what new evidence is produced in the coming weeks. Hopefully the questions presented in the terms of reference for the Commission will be answered.

Qld to be "white zone" by June 30

BRISBANE - Plans are underway to have all of Queensland categorised as a White Zone on June 30 this year, according to Queensland Racing Limited's (QRL) chief operations manager Malcolm Tuttle.

"With Queensland having White status in June, we would be regarded on the same footing as other States and Territories in Australia that have been free from EI, thus freeing up horse movement completely interstate," Tuttle said.

"In terms of achieving an ‘all White' status in both New South Wales and Queensland, various transitions to the existing zone structure had to occur and the timing of these changes is contingent on no new cases of EI."

Tuttle said the last reported case of EI occurred on December 25.

"Movement protocols will continue to apply until the ultimate zone transition from Green Zone to White, although it has been confirmed that work will continue to reduce restrictions where possible," Tuttle said.

Horse SA E news Wednesday January 30th, 2008

EI - Industry Liaison
1. Move to a disease free Australia. Visit the Australian Horse Industry Council website www.horsecouncil.org.au for a range of images and recent updates. Gatherings of horses will still need to register as events with PIRSA. Info about this, horse movements etc on www.pir.sa.gov.au PLEASE CHECK as fines still apply.

2. EI Community Information Update Sessions
All sessions start at 7. 30 pm (room open from 7pm) No bookings required. More info about sessions and all EI information on www.pir.sa.gov.au
Strathalbyn Town Hall Weds Feb 6th
Gawler Sports & Community Centre (Nixon St) Mon Feb 11th
Mount Gambier Commodore Hotel Thurs Feb 14th
Clare Racing Club Weds Feb 20th
3. Equine Influenza Assistance Grants close on 8th February (or until movement restrictions are lifted) for wage supplement and business assistance grants. Businesses who have already received one $5000 grant are eligible to apply for a second $5000. Large half page adverts were placed in all major newspapers last

EI - Industry Advocacy
1. FREE WORKSHOPS - BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANNING FOR BUSINESSES/CLUBS
Do you provide products or services for the horse industry? How will you survive another stock standstill, prolonged equine flu disruption or other emergency or business disruption? While Equine Influenza is present in Australia, another stock standstill can be called at any time – is your business (including organisations & self-employed) ready& able to cope? Who can attend? Horse training & breaking, farrier, fodder, agistment, saddlery & repairs, horse clubs, shows and events, transporting, float repairs, hired horse venues, coaching, riding schools etc.
Murray Bridge Racecourse: Thursday 31st Jan 2008 (tomorrow night)
Gawler Racecourse: Tuesday 5th Feb 2008
Horse SA: Allan Scott Park Racecourse, Morphettville: Thurs 7th Feb 2008
Port Lincoln Racecourse: Thursday 14th Feb 2008
Victor Harbor: Venue TBA Tuesday 19th Feb 2008
Globe Derby Harness Racing Centre: 28th Feb 2008
Mount Gambier: Venue TBA Tues 26th Feb 2008
All workshops from 7 – 9.30 pm. Customised resources provided. Thank you to the South Australian Racing Country Clubs for and listed race clubs for supporting. All people with an interest in horse activities may attend. BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL with Horse SA. Download form or contact Horse SA Ph 08 8294 2460 Fax 8294 2860 or Email horsesa@horsesa.asn.au or mobile 0402 488 306. More than one person from a business/club/organisation may attend.

2. Register your horse property with PIRSA. An easier form is available on the Horse SA homepage. Currently the Minister is reviewing the need to register horse properties as mandatory. If this is introduced a fee may apply. So… get in early and get in for free!