DPI&F Biosecurity Queensland

Equine Influenza Update

Update No. 11, Thursday 13 September 2007

Horse movement permits available for Control Zone

From today, the state will be divided into two distinct zones for the first time since the equine influenza standstill came into place last month.

This will facilitate future changes to the movement conditions as we become increasingly more confident that the influenza virus is limited to the South-East of the State and the Darling Downs, Biosecurity Queensland's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Ron Glanville, said today.

People will need to understand which zone they are in, as the conditions will change over time. The restricted zone will be the South-East corner and Darling Downs, where equine influenza has been confirmed in five locations. The remainder of the state will be the control zone.

At 8 a.m. on Thursday morning (13 September,) the permit system in place for the control zone will allow consideration for limited horse movements to properties owned by the same person and within the same shire.

But a permit for movement must be obtained from Biosecurity Queensland in the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. This can be done through the DPI&F website or by ringing 13 25 23.

There is no change for the restricted zone, which is South-East Queensland up to Gympie, west through the Darling Downs to Chinchilla and the border shires to Mungindi.

"Individuals or organisations seeking a permit to move a horse in the control zone will need to demonstrate that there are valid reasons for the movement," Biosecurity Queensland's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Ron Glanville, said.

"These will include movements required for activities that are sufficiently pressing that they should go ahead.

"Each application will be subjected to a risk assessment. We are not going to allow any movement which could cause a widening of the area affected by equine flu."

Horses will not be allowed to move from the restricted zone to the control zone.

All horse owners are encouraged to register on the DPI&F website so that they can receive important information and updates about the horse flu situation.

You can also check out the information on the DPI&F website or call DPI&F on 13 25 23.

Assistance available to people adversely affected by equine influenza

The Queensland Government is coordinating a multi-agency approach to support people who have been adversely affected by the equine influenza outbreak.

General services available include:

• Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has information regarding animal welfare and equine influenza. Call the DPI&F information line on 132523 from 8am to 8pm or go to the DPI&F website.
• The Department of State Development has a range of general business and industry support services that may be of assistance. For details contact www.sd.qld.gov.au.
• Lifeline is offering counselling through their 24/7 telephone counselling service on 13 1114. Face-to-face counselling can also be arranged.
• For disease-related information from Queensland Racing please call 3869 9747.

Financial services available are:

• An emergency grant from the Australian Government of up to $1500 to eligible applicants to help pay household expenses such as food, vehicle maintenance, school expenses, electricity, rates and telephone. Unpaid bills must be presented to the relevant administrative body to access the grant. Payment will then be made directly to the supplier of the service. In Queensland these grants are being administered by Queensland Racing. Go to the Queensland Racing website for further details or ring their hotline on 1800 200 057.
• An Australian Government Equine Influenza Assistance Package - see below for details. Queensland Thoroughbred Racing, Queensland Harness Racing and Equestrian Queensland will be helping administer the Commercial Horse Assistance Payment of this package for their respective sectors. Application forms and further information will be available on the Centrelink website or by calling the Equine Influenza Assistance Hotline on Freecall 1800 234 002.

Australian Government Equine Influenza Assistance Package

The Australian Government’s Equine Influenza Assistance Package consists of:

• The Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment is available to workers in horse-dependent businesses who have lost their job or income, and sole traders whose incomes have effectively ceased (transport operators, riding coaches, farriers etc). The payment is the equivalent of Newstart Allowance and is subject to an income test, but no asset or activity test. Freecall 1800 234 002
• Equine Influenza Business Assistance Grant is a grant of $5000 available for eligible businesses that derive the majority of their income from the commercial horse industry, and have experienced a significant downturn in income. Freecall 1800 234 002.
• Commercial Horse Assistance Payment is for eligible primary carers whose racing, harness or professional equestrian competition horses who have been unable to undertake their normal activities and could otherwise have generated an income, if not for the quarantine restrictions in place. Freecall 1800 234 002 or Queensland Racing on 1800 200 057.
• Grants for non-government and not-for-profit equestrian organisations of up to $200,000 will be available for eligible equestrian organisations that have (in addition to the provision of voluntary services by their members or affiliates) incurred expenses directly related to the outbreak of Equine Influenza, and the resulting quarantine restrictions. Freecall 1800 234 002

Remember, the hotline for the Australian Government Equine Influenza Package is: Freecall 1800 234 002.