Government to postpone debate on horse levy legislation

The Hon. Tony Burke MP

Minister for Agricul ture, Fisheries and Forestry
M E D I A R E L E A S E

The Rudd Government will postpone debate on legislation that would help the horse industry to deal with the cost of emergency disease outbreaks until after the Callinan Inquiry has reported its findings.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the horse industry had sought this mechanism for years to close a loophole in its emergency disease preparedness.

“We remain committed to delivering on industry’s wish to adopt the same measures as many other major livestock industries, including cattle, wool, sheep, dairy, poultry and goats,” Mr Burke said.

“These other industries have already joined the states, territories and Federal Government as
signatories to the important Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement, established in 2002.

“The horse industry decided to join the agreement some time ago and the former Coalition
Government began the process of drafting the legislation well before the recent equine influenza outbreak.

“Until this legislation is passed, the horse industry is unable to join the agreement, meaning there could be a slower, more costly and less effective response to a future disease outbreak.

“However, I am also aware that there is a significant level of misinformation about the purpose of the legislation, which is causing concern among many horse owners.

“I’ve spoken to some concerned owners myself, including at the Community Cabinet in Brisbane last weekend.

“The intention was always to set a levy at zero and to only consider the appropriateness of a levy to cover industry’s share of the response to the current outbreak after the Callinan Inquiry reported to me.

“To provide more clarity for horse owners, given the high level of misinformation, we will
postpone debate on the legislation altogether until after the Callinan Inquiry reports.

“In the meantime, the Rudd Government will continue to fully fund assistance measures, consistent with guidelines, including Business Assistance Grants, the Commercial Horse Assistance Payment Scheme, the wage supplement and grants for non-profit community groups.

“The Government will continue working with the horse industry to plan for its long-term future.”

10 MARCH 2008

Equine influenza response winds down

The Queensland government says its response to the equine influenza (EI) outbreak is winding down.

The Department of Communities led the recovery effort, coordinating services from fixed and mobile "one-stop shops" in EI-affected areas.

Since the outbreak in September last year, the shops gave 3,794 people easy access to emergency payments and counselling services.

A hotline was also established, fielding 5,298 calls for help.

Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said on Tuesday the hotline and one-stop shops had now closed.

"Equine influenza has had a significant impact on families both emotionally and financially and I'm pleased that the worst is now over and people can feel a sense of normality again," Ms Nelson-Carr said.

The government paid more than $1.1 million in financial hardship grants throughout the crisis.

Comment on Industry Sympathetic Too

Funny how we heard bugger all sympathy from the industry when they were busy snaffling priority on the vaccine that should have been used in areas to protect horses, nor when they were busy claiming their CHAPS payment. Now the time comes to pay for the cleanup, the industry is so keen to drag the other 80% of us into their argument!

FW: Vaccination?

Peter V'Landys, comments 7/3/08 about the vacccine,he says there could be some horses in outback Qld. or remote NSW, try that there could be contagious horses anywhere considering there was pockets of unvaccinated horses throughout NSW. In some areas if your horse was not TB or HH or EFA registered ( e.g. 3 horses in one paddock 1 EFA registered 2 not registered vaccine for the 2 refused by the DPI) not the only case. now- relief for the racing industry, vaccine available until at least June, (with a vaccine that does not cover this strain of flu or is the government going to allow the TBs to use killed vaccine. Who profits ).

I know people who have waited (and still are) 2 months to vaccinate at their own expense ,vaccine not available, why cant the ....heads in authority see there is more than just TBs in this industry. There is a big majority of the horses industry from PClub to Olympic and all af us in between would gladly vaccinate at own expense given the choice of vaccine. The killed vaccine is widely and most used throughtout the world and is updated for this strain.
Noting that Franz Venhaus states that this vaccine does not cover the current strain of flu virus here,(totally agree), the manufacturer was found in breach of 4.7 of the Code of Practice by NOAH (National Office of Animal Welfare)U.K. 2007.for claiming "immunity...and onset of immunity after single dose... All four items were inconsistent with the SPC, because they amounted to claim that Proteqflu and ProtequfluTe gave immunity after single dose.
Those words were familiar in print through the outbreak of the flu in most items about the vaccinations. Anyway how can this be when its not even updated for this strain. A bit of good PR on the government.The future will be interesting.

Who is responsible for not allowing the killed vaccine to be used (mind you AHA purchased and used killed vaccine in October,) its affordable, effective and preventive,what about the nasal Flu avert spray,1 dose. In America I believe the flu virus has no preference for the hot or cold climate,,while we are supposedly ahead with erradication(and who can say this with 100% sureity) lets be responsible and start the next step -prevent- do not those in power have ears or even know what the word consideration means.

Lets not divide the horse industry into sectors, people like Mr. V'Landys/John Messara and others who do get listened to, speak fairly on behalf of the whole industry and the innocents, the racing industry was not the only one to shut down, a lot of others were in lockdown and are still trying to recover. The future looks bleak at the moment for the average horse owner.

A Quote to remember...Lets face facts:- When profit is the motive, commonsense/science/reason/safety/ethics and decency tend to take flight...
ANON (Name supplied)

Kay Hull: Working for the Riverina

-----Original Message-----
From: Hallett, Graeme (A. Somlyay, MP)
Sent: Tuesday, 11 March 2008 3:11 PM
To: Dennis, Joseph (K. Hull, MP)
Subject: Scullion media as discussed.

Horse Disease Response Levy Bill Needs Fixing Not Delaying

Shadow minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion today welcomed the decision of the government to postpone debate on the horse disease levy and urges this time to be used to develop a more equitable bill.
“The performance and recreational horse industry represents 80 percent of all horses, with approx 621,000 registered and 500,000 unregistered horses compared to approx 160,000 total horses in the racing sector.
“The bill would result in performance and recreational horse owners contributing the largest financial levy towards the cost of containing and eradicating diseases such as equine influenza even though they receive little of no financial income through their horses, said Senator Scullion.
“More importantly the bill as proposed would still only result in 50% of all foals born being subject to such a levy.
The postponement of debate on the Horse Disease Levy Bills must be more than just a delaying tactic, said Senator Scullion.
“It must be used to study the recent EI outbreak and identify the real impact of the outbreak and not just the financial cost.
“It must also take into the account the costs born by the community as a result of the suspension of performance and recreational horse events.
“Agricultural show societies and horse transport companies are just some who have experienced losses as a result of the cancellation of horse events, said Senator Scullion.
“Through this bill the government is attempting to unfairly slug some horse owners for the cost of EI without considering the expenses they have already incurred.
“Next time they introduce the bill they need to have done their homework and present a fair and equitable proposal”, said Senator Scullion.