Horse industry says 'thanks' to PIRSA

18 October 2007

Horse SA, the racing industry and leading non-racing organizations provided a BBQ lunch for staff at Primary Industries and Resources SA’s (PIRSA) Glenside office today to say “thanks”.

Horse SA Executive Officer Julie Fiedler said that even though SA was free of horse flu, an extensive response plan was put into place involving up to 60 PIRSA staff.

“The SA response has been incredible and the team involved has worked tirelessly to protect the state in partnership with all horse owners, and this will continue for some time yet,” Ms Fiedler said.

As part of the response strategy, two industry liaison officers have been involved since the initial stock standstill was implemented on Saturday 25 August – Dr Peter Horridge liaising with representatives from the racing industry and Ms Fiedler liaising with representatives from the non-racing part of the horse industry.

Their role is broad, involving a range of tasks including number and type of horse related activities, geographical distribution of horse populations, provision of key industry contacts, helping media staff, development of educational material and attending community information sessions.

Chief Executive of Racing SA Ian Hart congratulated PIRSA’s efforts.

“This has been an extraordinary response to an extraordinary situation; the relationship between PIRSA and TRSA has been positive and worked effectively,” Mr Hart said.

Ms Fiedler said that while the economic and social impact of horse flu is obviously much less than New South Wales and Queensland, the virus has in fact cost South Australia millions of dollars.

“The industry down turn caused by horse flu is having a flow on effect through the state’s economy and jobs are at risk, particularly in the horse transport and retail sector,” Ms Fiedler said.

“The longer that horse events are restricted, the greater the impacts in terms of businesses that are on the edge, falling club memberships and permanent membership losses to other sports. In addition, many events raised money for such groups as their local hospital and the Royal Flying Doctor Services, who also now miss out.”

Ms Fiedler said that Horse SA had approached the State Government for support to help community clubs who had suffered financial losses as a result of event cancellation due to the horse flu.

“We’re asking for small grants to help organizations manage through what really is an exceptional circumstance beyond their control.”

Fast facts:

  • The event was supported by Horse SA, Thoroughbred Racing SA, Harness Racing SA, Riding for the Disabled, the Equestrian Federation of Australia (SA) Pony Club Association of SA, HorseSafety Australia, Australian Lipizzaner Horse Registry, ACPRE-Australia Inc.
  • It’s estimated there are about 25000 horse owners in SA.
  • The horse population is approximately 90000
  • Most organized club activities have been cancelled until 31 December 2007.