News

Row over equine flu vaccines grows

22nd Jun 2009

Sydney Morning Herald - Craig Young - Monday, 22 June 2009

THE push to vaccinate the thoroughbred crop against another equine influenza outbreak is set to intensify.

"The recreational horse sector opposes any levy in the event there is another exotic disease outbreak," Thoroughbred Breeders Australia chief executive Peter McGauran told the Herald yesterday.

"They convinced the opposition and minor parties to block federal government legislation in the Senate to establish a horse registration upon which a levy could be based.

"It is important to know a levy would only be paid in the event of an exotic disease outbreak such as equine influenza."

McGauran was Liberal federal agriculture minister responsible for implementing the $371 million rescue and eradication package when equine influenza closed down racing for about six months during the 2007-08 season. Now no longer an MP, he explained the Federal Government had formally notified the state governments no eradication program would be funded should another outbreak occur.

"[Each] state government must make its own decision and commit its own funding," McGauran said. "I doubt the stars will ever align again to convince a federal government to bail out an equine influenza-devastated racing industry.

"The Federal Government spent $126 million on eradicating EI and a separate $245 million on a compensation package," he said.

McGauran says he has no doubt there is support in NSW and Queensland among government members for the thoroughbred industry to vaccinate, while the Victorians "seem to be holding to an anti-vaccination position".

"One day in the future, whether it is five or 10 years, there will be another breach of the quarantine barrier," McGauran said. "Quarantine is a human institution and humans make mistakes."

Any vaccination must be approved by the Federal Government and the former MP is confident it is "leaning towards" such a step.

"The situation is quite fluid at the moment," he said. "For the first time, there is a strong possibility thoroughbreds will be allowed to vaccinate against EI given EI will never be fought again in this country.

"The Federal Government has told the states, 'you are on your own', and the states do not have the financial resources to eradicate EI."

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia is the peak body for all breeding associations in this country. Its head stated: "We have a policy of supporting vaccination as does the Australian Racing Board.

"I am disturbed the recreational section opposed the horse disease levy, but given they have now played the politics of the legislation and defeated it, they surely can't stand in the way of the thoroughbred sector with its massive economic interest at stake.

"We can never again go through an outbreak of equine influenza.

"The horse industry is the only livestock industry in Australia without a signed agreement with the Federal Government for both to contribute in the event of a disease outbreak. Whether it be cattle, sheep, chickens or pigs, everyone has such an agreement."

The cost of vaccination is $120 to $150 per horse.

"It includes one shot and two boosters," McGauran said. "Without exception, breeders, owners and trainers will gladly pay $150 to guarantee the industry can continue through a future outbreak of EI."