Equine influenza outbreak
Federal Government: www.outbreak.gov.au
DPI Contact Details:
NSW: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza ; Hotline 1800-675 888
QLD: www.dpi.qld.gov.au ; Hotline 132523
VIC: www.dpi.vic.gov.au ; Hotline 1800-678 779
SA: www.pir.sa.gov.au/horseflu ; 1800-234002
TAS: http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/LBUN-76FVNP?open ; 1800-234002
WA: www.agric.wa.gov.au/content/pw/ah/equine_influenza.htm ; 1800-234002
NT: http://www.nt.gov.au/dpifm/Primary_Industry/ ; 1800-234002
Australian Horse Industry Council: http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/ (put your name onto a National wide email distribution list of alerts as they occur)
12th march 2008 - club activities return to normal IN NSW:
On behalf of the NSW Executive I would like to thank clubs and members for their patience and understanding during the EI outbreak. It was a very frustrating time for many clubs, particularly those in the Purple Zone who had been advised by the DPI that events could be held in the Zone. It was however the opinion of the ATHRA NSW Executive, like so many other reputable horse organisations, that it would be irresponsible to permit riding in this area when there were still so many positive cases of EI occurring.
As per a previous email to all NSW clubs on 28.2.2008, all ATHRA clubs in NSW are permitted to resume normal trail riding activities. This includes the hosting of multi-day rides.
Clubs are no longer required to notify ATHRA by faxing details pre and post events. Clubs must however continue to register events with the DPI (I understand this may continue until the end of the year, although it may be lifted earlier if things continue to move positively).
Thank you again for your support, and we all look forward to enjoying many hours on the trails in 2008.
Jackie Mann
NSW President, ATHRA
3rd January 2008 - ATHRA Rides to Recommence 1st January 2008:
ATHRA has advised all State Branch Executives, ATHRA Club trail rides can recommence from January 1, 2008 where statutory bodies (e.g. DPI) permit.
ATHRA has, in conjunction with its insurance partner, Affinity Insurance Brokers, developed an additional 'waiver form' that assists clubs in again conducting trail rides. This waiver form must be signed by all participants at each and every ride until further notice (see Guidelines and Contingency Plan).
Each ATHRA State Branch is now responsible for advising their respective state based clubs if they are permitted to conduct trail rides and events and what restrictions they must comply to. Please go to your respective state branch page and view the 'news' section.
ATHRA acknowledges the frustration that the blanket ban on ATHRA trail rides has caused. This ban was put in place to ensure the legal protection of all of the club, branch and national executive position holders.
ATHRA National commends the way in which its state branches and clubs have responded to the EI crisis and are grateful for your diligence on this matter.
We hope 2008 brings us all back to the pursuit we all love and enjoy so much.
Tony Hart for and on behalf of the ATHRA National Executive.
Above: Here come the vaccination team (as well as the property owner's dog!)