Approval For Training At Morphettville And Globe Derby

Tuesday, 28 August 2007

Limited training for racing horses has been approved following rigorous risk analysis and close liaison with peak industry bodies.

All horse movements have been stopped since the weekend when a stock stand-still was put into place to keep SA free of equine influenza (horse flu).

The current stock stand-still is in force until 12.30pm Friday 31 August 2007.

Michael Wright, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing said he was delighted that limited training could begin.

"PIRSA and the thoroughbred and harness racing bodies have worked effectively to ensure that the risks involved with training will be minimised," he said.

"It is very important that horses in peak racing condition can resume training as soon as possible to maintain the health of these animals."

Training will begin at both Morphettville and Globe Derby from tomorrow morning (29 August 2007).

"Effectively these two facilities and surrounding areas will be placed under quarantine," said Dr Rob Rahaley South Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer.

"A restricted area will operate around these centres. We will allow people with horses within these sites to access the track so that they can be trained but they will not be able to move from the restricted area until the stock stand-still is lifted."

Mr Wright said that a considerable amount of work had been done to trace any horses that had recently been interstate, particularly NSW and Queensland.

"All reports of horses with symptoms similar to horse flu have also been checked and cleared," he said.

"We are also liaising with those horse owners interstate who will not be able to bring their horses back until cleared by relevant jurisdictions.

"Even though SA is not an affected state, this has been a huge exercise and every effort has been made to ensure that we remain free of horse flu.

"The national stock stand-still has meant some difficulties for some horse owners but I am sure they appreciate that every effort must be made to eradicate horse flu in Australia and stopping animal movements is critical to achieving this goal."

Mr Wright said that PIRSA’s work was focused on future horse events that might be impacted by SA and interstate stock stand-stills and that PIRSA was working with event organisers through Horse SA.

Web site for further information-

www.pir.sa.gov.au/horseflu