Fed: ACT horses banned from moving out of or around territory

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2007
Fed: ACT horses banned from moving out of or around territory

CANBERRA, Aug 25 AAP - ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has banned all horses from being
moved within or out of the ACT in response to the equine influenza (EI) scare.

The ban corresponds with federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran's decision to
impose a 72-hour Australia-wide ban on all thoroughbred and harness racing.

The virus has been detected in at least 16 horses in Sydney and there is now a 10km
exclusion zone around the Centennial Park stables, where the infected horses are kept.

The "bush capital" of Canberra has hundreds of horses, both in paddocks and stables.

After hearing of the outbreak in Sydney, Mr Stanhope today declared the ACT a quarantined
area under the Animal Diseases Act 2005.

"Horse owners are required not move their horses across the ACT/NSW border or within
the ACT unless they have prior written approval from the Senior Veterinary Officer," Mr
Stanhope said in a statement.

"This means that horses should not be removed from the premises where they are currently
agisted."

The quarantine applies to all equine species and equine products, including items such
as bridles, saddles and saddlecloths.

At Thoroughbred Park, Canberra's racing club, 210 horses which are now confined to
the racecourse.

Canberra Race Club Chief Executive Peter Stubbs said he received a call from the Australian
Racing Board this morning advising him to keep the horses where they were.

"As a result of that we placed an embargo on the transportation into or out of Thoroughbred
Park," he said.

He said all of the 210 horses were based at Thoroughbred Park where they trained and
were stabled.

It is not believed any of them have been infected with equine influenza.

"We haven't had any sign of it at this point, fortunately," he said.

AAP kc/cjh/bwl

KEYWORD: STALLIONS ACT

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