NATIONALLY-APPROVED PLAN WITH AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY ASSOCIATION TICK OF APPROVAL
Published Tuesday, 09 October, 2007 at 03:11 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Criticism by the Queensland Opposition of the nationally-approved equine influenza strategy was ill-informed and ill-timed, Minister for Primary industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said today.
“The Member for Toowoomba South’s credibility suffered a massive blow in Parliament today as he attempted to politicise what should be an a-political approach to tackling the disease,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“At a time when the equine industry needs as much support as possible, the Opposition spokesman on primary industries instead was claiming he knows better than some of the very best veterinary experts in Australia.’’
Mr Mulherin said the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries was following an eradication strategy, based on a pre-existing, planned national response for this disease.
“The strategy for the eradication of equine influenza is based on a combination of:
• rigorous movement restrictions
• strategic vaccination, in particular the creation of a buffer zone around the south-east and
• promoting good biosecurity practices.
“It is a nationally-approved strategy that has the full backing of the Australian Veterinary Association and has so far resulted in the disease being restricted to the Red Zone of south east Queensland and the Darling Downs.
“Only yesterday, the president of the AVA, Dr Diane Sheehan said the Australian Veterinary Association fully supported the Queensland DPI in following the AUSVETPLAN, which is the co-ordinated response to minimising the harm caused by the virus.
“Dr Sheehan went on to say: ‘AVA has been working closely with the Queensland DPI and we have every confidence that they are providing accurate and timely information and following the correct protocols in accordance with AUSVETPLAN’.’’
“We should all be thankful that the Nationals are not in Government in Queensland and that Mr Horan is not the Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister.
“It seems that although I have been in regular contact with Mr Horan and that he is briefed almost daily, he just doesn’t understand what is being done.
“I wonder too does he understand that by his comments he also is being critical of his National Party colleague and Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran, who is a key player in the national strategy.
“In regard to the vaccine already 12,700 horses have been vaccinated.
“Vaccination in the buffer zone commenced on September 29, 2007 and will continue to be rolled out across the buffer zone over the next two weeks.
“And yesterday, as was confirmed by the Premier this morning, working closely with industry, the Queensland Government has secured enough vaccine to protect an extra 17,000 horses in the high-value, high performance breeding industry.
“The extra vaccine is in addition to that already committed to the thoroughbred and harness racing industries.’’
Media: 32396530
“The Member for Toowoomba South’s credibility suffered a massive blow in Parliament today as he attempted to politicise what should be an a-political approach to tackling the disease,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“At a time when the equine industry needs as much support as possible, the Opposition spokesman on primary industries instead was claiming he knows better than some of the very best veterinary experts in Australia.’’
Mr Mulherin said the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries was following an eradication strategy, based on a pre-existing, planned national response for this disease.
“The strategy for the eradication of equine influenza is based on a combination of:
• rigorous movement restrictions
• strategic vaccination, in particular the creation of a buffer zone around the south-east and
• promoting good biosecurity practices.
“It is a nationally-approved strategy that has the full backing of the Australian Veterinary Association and has so far resulted in the disease being restricted to the Red Zone of south east Queensland and the Darling Downs.
“Only yesterday, the president of the AVA, Dr Diane Sheehan said the Australian Veterinary Association fully supported the Queensland DPI in following the AUSVETPLAN, which is the co-ordinated response to minimising the harm caused by the virus.
“Dr Sheehan went on to say: ‘AVA has been working closely with the Queensland DPI and we have every confidence that they are providing accurate and timely information and following the correct protocols in accordance with AUSVETPLAN’.’’
“We should all be thankful that the Nationals are not in Government in Queensland and that Mr Horan is not the Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister.
“It seems that although I have been in regular contact with Mr Horan and that he is briefed almost daily, he just doesn’t understand what is being done.
“I wonder too does he understand that by his comments he also is being critical of his National Party colleague and Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran, who is a key player in the national strategy.
“In regard to the vaccine already 12,700 horses have been vaccinated.
“Vaccination in the buffer zone commenced on September 29, 2007 and will continue to be rolled out across the buffer zone over the next two weeks.
“And yesterday, as was confirmed by the Premier this morning, working closely with industry, the Queensland Government has secured enough vaccine to protect an extra 17,000 horses in the high-value, high performance breeding industry.
“The extra vaccine is in addition to that already committed to the thoroughbred and harness racing industries.’’
Media: 32396530