News

WA returns to normal with Australia declared EI free

Media release : 18th March 2008

Requirements to bring horses into Western Australia have returned to normal, after the announcement last week that Australia is now provisionally free of equine influenza (EI).

Department of Agriculture and Food director of animal biosecurity Ashley Mercy said the provisionally free status followed the excellent work done to eradicate EI in NSW and Queensland and prevent it spreading to other states.

“WA no longer requires any special import conditions for equine influenza.

“Horse entry requirements are now the same as they were prior to the EI outbreak.

“Horses being imported to WA need to meet conditions in relation to liver fluke, cattle tick and declared plant seeds, and be accompanied by an interstate health certificate,” he said.

Dr Mercy said the department and the WA horse industry had worked closely together during the EI outbreak to ensure the risk to the WA industry was minimised.

“The Western Australian Equine Influenza Industry Group, and the close collaboration between industry and Government, was fundamental to the biosecurity efforts in Western Australia.

“The department also had 36 staff go to New South Wales and Queensland for a total of 423 days to assist the EI response,” he said.

“This provided valuable assistance to the EI eradication effort and provided excellent training opportunities to ensure department staff are well equipped to handle other emergency responses in WA.”
More information on horse entry conditions for WA are available in the Movement of Stock to WA document on the department’s website

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/content/aap/q/equine.htm

Should horse owners observe any unusual symptoms in their animals, please contact the department’s emergency animal disease hotline on 1800 675 888.

Media Contacts

Katrina Bonser/Lisa Bertram, media liaison

9368 3937/9368 3325