Recovery the focus of community briefings

Monday 21 January 2008

Recovery will be the focus of a new round of community briefings about equine influenza in February 2008.

South Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rob Rahaley said that if the success of the interstate eradication program continued, equestrian events could return to normal very quickly.

“We are very pleased with the progress in New South Wales and Queensland,” he said.

Both Queensland and New South Wales are expecting that if nothing significant changes, they will be free of equine influenza in the next couple of months.

“Given the commitment of so many people to keep equine influenza out of South Australia, it’s important that every effort is made to ensure the recovery process is smooth and speedy,” Dr Rahaley said.

“SA will introduce changes on 1 February 2008 which include changing from a permit system for events to a registration system and freeing up horse movements.

“It’s important that all horse owners are up to date with the changes. That's why we’re organising the community meetings; they are a great forum for people to ask questions and to receive detailed information about what’s going on.”

Dr Rahaley said that he hoped further relaxation of the requirements for horse owners would follow in March/ April but it would depend on the progress interstate.

Meetings dates/ times/ locations are as follows:

February 6 Strathalbyn Town Hall 7pm for 7.30pm start
February 11 Gawler Sport and Community Centre 7pm for 7.30pm start
February 14 Commodore Motel, Mt Gambier 7pm for 7.30pm start

    
Specific details regarding the changes will be listed on the PIRSA web site closer to 1 February 2008.

More information:

  • PIRSA website – www.pir.sa.gov.au/horseflu
  • PIRSA hotline – 1800 675 888
  • Equestrian clubs and associations
  • Horse SA 0402 488 306