RED ZONE HORSES STILL SUBJECT TO GENERAL STANDSTILL
Published Thursday, 04 October, 2007 at 03:25 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Owners of horses were reminded today that the general standstill for all horses is still in place in the Red Zone - south east Queensland and the Darling Downs.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said it was disappointing that there were reports that some horse owners were now moving their horses without a permit.
“It seems that some people see the vaccination program as a signal that everything is now okay and they can move their horses.
“That is wrong – we are at a critical point in the horse flu response program and it’s vital that, as much as possible, horses stay where they are,” Mr Mulherin said.
“There are exceptions to the rule, but overall, we need to maintain the general standstill because that is a key part of the vaccination and containment program.
“Vaccination is important, but it is not the solution to the overall problem and now is clearly not the time to be complacent.”
Riding a horse off its current property location or relocating a horse via truck or float is still banned in the Red Zone, unless a specific permit is provided by the DPI&F.
All horse owners must abide by these regulations and maintain decontamination procedures on their properties to help limit the spread of horse flu.
Permits for movement of horses in the Red Zone will only be issued for essential horse movements, including life threatening illness and other limited activities. All movement permits are issued only after a rigorous assessment of the risk of the movement to the spread of equine influenza.
Police, Queensland Transport and DPI&F officers will intercept any horses found to be moving within or out of the Red Zone without a permit.
For regular updates and to register your horse and apply for a permit, visit the DPI&F website and subscribe to the e-newsletter. Call 13 25 23 (8am- 8pm) or visit http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/horses/
Advice for horse owners in the RED ZONE
Horse owners should:
• Obey all quarantine notices and notices of direction from the DPI&F
• not allow people onto your property or stable without permission and only let them enter if proper disinfection is used first, especially if they have come from a horse property in Red Zone in the last 48 hours
• minimise unnecessary contact of people with horses.
• avoid people or equipment moving between horses at different locations unless absolutely necessary
• not share halters, bridles, saddles or feed bins with other horses or horse owners.
Anyone coming in contact with horses (including farriers, equine dentists and chiropracters, horse strappers, vets and other animal carers) should:
• disinfect all equipment used
• shower, wash your hair and change into fresh clothing
• disinfect footwear.
• Not come in contact with other horses for a minimum of 24 hours
• Read the guidelines for farriers, vets equine chiropractors and strappers on the DPI&F website.
Observe all horse movement conditions and restrictions:
• horses cannot move within or enter into the Red Zone without a permit
• horses cannot move out of the Red Zone
Horse owners in the red zone can:
• ride a horse within the boundary of a property where they are currently located but should not come within 50m of the boundary fence where other horses are located
Horse owners in the red zone can NOT:
• ride a horse to another property
• ride alongside roadsides
• ride within parks or other recreation areas.
Sporting events using horses:
• Sporting events using horses in the RED Zone will only be allowed if an Event Application is made to and approved by the DPI&F Chief Inspector of Stock.
• Approval will only be granted if the application demonstrates appropriate biosecurity measures are in place to minimise the risk of spread of equine influenza.
Mustering
• Limited permits for mustering may be approved within the Red Zone under very strict conditions.
Register your horse
• register your horse on the DPI&F website or call DPI&F on 13 25 23, to receive the latest information about the disease or the quarantine restrictions.
Report sick horses
• report any sick horses with runny noses, sneezing or cough and elevated temperatures immediately to your local veterinarian or to the DPI&F on 13 25 23.
More information
• Subscribe to the DPI&F equine influenza newsletter e-update and if you own a horse register your property and contact details
• Check out the information on the DPI&F website
• Call DPI&F on 13 25 23.
________________________________________
Media: Minister’s Office 3239 6530 or DPI&F media unit, 132523
callweb@dpi.qld.gov.au
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said it was disappointing that there were reports that some horse owners were now moving their horses without a permit.
“It seems that some people see the vaccination program as a signal that everything is now okay and they can move their horses.
“That is wrong – we are at a critical point in the horse flu response program and it’s vital that, as much as possible, horses stay where they are,” Mr Mulherin said.
“There are exceptions to the rule, but overall, we need to maintain the general standstill because that is a key part of the vaccination and containment program.
“Vaccination is important, but it is not the solution to the overall problem and now is clearly not the time to be complacent.”
Riding a horse off its current property location or relocating a horse via truck or float is still banned in the Red Zone, unless a specific permit is provided by the DPI&F.
All horse owners must abide by these regulations and maintain decontamination procedures on their properties to help limit the spread of horse flu.
Permits for movement of horses in the Red Zone will only be issued for essential horse movements, including life threatening illness and other limited activities. All movement permits are issued only after a rigorous assessment of the risk of the movement to the spread of equine influenza.
Police, Queensland Transport and DPI&F officers will intercept any horses found to be moving within or out of the Red Zone without a permit.
For regular updates and to register your horse and apply for a permit, visit the DPI&F website and subscribe to the e-newsletter. Call 13 25 23 (8am- 8pm) or visit http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/horses/
Advice for horse owners in the RED ZONE
Horse owners should:
• Obey all quarantine notices and notices of direction from the DPI&F
• not allow people onto your property or stable without permission and only let them enter if proper disinfection is used first, especially if they have come from a horse property in Red Zone in the last 48 hours
• minimise unnecessary contact of people with horses.
• avoid people or equipment moving between horses at different locations unless absolutely necessary
• not share halters, bridles, saddles or feed bins with other horses or horse owners.
Anyone coming in contact with horses (including farriers, equine dentists and chiropracters, horse strappers, vets and other animal carers) should:
• disinfect all equipment used
• shower, wash your hair and change into fresh clothing
• disinfect footwear.
• Not come in contact with other horses for a minimum of 24 hours
• Read the guidelines for farriers, vets equine chiropractors and strappers on the DPI&F website.
Observe all horse movement conditions and restrictions:
• horses cannot move within or enter into the Red Zone without a permit
• horses cannot move out of the Red Zone
Horse owners in the red zone can:
• ride a horse within the boundary of a property where they are currently located but should not come within 50m of the boundary fence where other horses are located
Horse owners in the red zone can NOT:
• ride a horse to another property
• ride alongside roadsides
• ride within parks or other recreation areas.
Sporting events using horses:
• Sporting events using horses in the RED Zone will only be allowed if an Event Application is made to and approved by the DPI&F Chief Inspector of Stock.
• Approval will only be granted if the application demonstrates appropriate biosecurity measures are in place to minimise the risk of spread of equine influenza.
Mustering
• Limited permits for mustering may be approved within the Red Zone under very strict conditions.
Register your horse
• register your horse on the DPI&F website or call DPI&F on 13 25 23, to receive the latest information about the disease or the quarantine restrictions.
Report sick horses
• report any sick horses with runny noses, sneezing or cough and elevated temperatures immediately to your local veterinarian or to the DPI&F on 13 25 23.
More information
• Subscribe to the DPI&F equine influenza newsletter e-update and if you own a horse register your property and contact details
• Check out the information on the DPI&F website
• Call DPI&F on 13 25 23.
________________________________________
Media: Minister’s Office 3239 6530 or DPI&F media unit, 132523
callweb@dpi.qld.gov.au