ACT DECLARED “WHITE” HORSE FLU FREE ZONE

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope today declared the ACT a Disease Free ‘White’ Zone in the ongoing strategy for the control and eradication of equine influenza.

“The ACT has been declared a White zone,” Mr Stanhope said. “This move brings the ACT in line with the national strategy with NSW, QLD and ACT now all declared White zones.

“While conditions for movements within the White zone remain the same as they were for movements in the Green zone, this change allows for easier movement of horses between the different states. New movement conditions for Amber, Red and Purple zones are in place and people are requested to notify ACT authorities regarding such movements.

“I applaud horse owners and industry professionals for their efforts to keep EI out of the ACT. It is through their efforts that the ACT has been able to remain EI free.

“Horse events in the ACT are slowly restarting with harness racing open meetings at EPIC and pony club and dressage competitions also back on the agenda. I look forward to even more horse events recommencing and our clubs continuing to build their event program.

“It is through the diligence and compliance with restrictions displayed by all involved that has enabled these events to be reintroduced.

The movement requirements in the ACT are:

Recreational Horse Riding within the ACT, riders do not require an Equine Movement Statement.
Transporting or moving a horse by vehicle within the ACT still requires an Equine Movement Statement.
If you are going to attend a registered event either leading, riding or transporting a horse by vehicle you will still require an Equine Movement Statement.
There are now five defined zones with differing levels of controls on the movement of equines in operation in NSW and the ACT:

The Restricted (red/purple) zones – are currently in operation in NSW and QLD only
The Control (amber) zone – is currently in operation in NSW and QLD only
The Protected (green) zone – all previous green zones are now white, and in the future, the Amber, Red and Purple areas will move to Green as EI cases reduce.
The Disease Free (White) zone – now operating in the ACT, NSW and QLD
Mr Stanhope reminded horse and donkey owners that while the NSW EI situation continues to contract we still need to be vigilant in the ACT and maintain high levels of biosecurity.

“While the ACT remains free of EI, horse owners and other people dealing with horses have an ongoing obligation to continue to look for any sign of equine influenza and report any suspected clinical signs of infection to the Hotline on 1800 675 888,” Mr Stanhope said.

Mr Stanhope strongly recommended that people in contact with horses continue to undertake biosecurity measures before and after contacting horses.

To apply for an Equine Movement Statement or register an event, call the TAMS Local Disease Control Centre on 6207 8705.

For more information visit www.outbreak.gov.au or http://www.tams.act.gov.au/live/equine_influenza.