Press Release from Australian Horse Industry Council, 13.2.08:

Govt extends national EI assistance

The federal government has extended assistance to people affected by equine influenza (EI) horse movement restrictions.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Tony Burke extended the package to March 14 or until movement restrictions were lifted.

He said many businesses and individuals still facing hardship due to the continuing standstill.

"After consulting with horse industry stakeholders, I have decided to extend the Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment, the Business Assistance Grant and the Commercial Horse Assistance Payment," Mr Burke said in a statement.

Mr Burke said the package had gone a long way to reducing the overall impact since the outbreak occurred in August last year.

"I am sure the decision to extend this assistance will be welcomed by people doing business in the areas affected by the continued movement restrictions."

An inquiry into the outbreak, that began in August last year, is being conducted by retired High Court judge Ian Callinan.

The first case of EI in Australia was detected at Sydney's Eastern Creek quarantine facility on August 23 in a thoroughbred stallion which had travelled from the northern hemisphere and was awaiting release.

The outbreak, which brought horse racing to a halt in NSW and Queensland, is estimated to have cost the industry more than $500 million.



Graham McGregor, President of the NSWPA, sent this letter to the Minister responsible for DAFF on 1st February, re. extending the cutoff for CHAPS.

The Hon Tony Burke, MP
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600


Dear Minister Burke

I am writing on behalf of the NSW Polo Association to express concern on behalf of a number of our members who are professional Polo players, relying upon this sport for their livelihoods.

You will understand that the Equine Influenza Outbreak has had a significant impact upon our sport which provides ancillary employment for grooms, horse breeders, trainers of polo ponies, feed merchants, veterinary surgeons, farriers etc. Whilst we acknowledge that the racing industry is a large employer, our segment of the leisure horse industry is important and we request acknowledgement of the hardship suffered to ensure equity. Racing has received favoured treatment in other respects and we ask that this be taken into account in relation to the request which follows.

We understand that the CHAPS payments are scheduled to cease from 8th February 2008. On behalf of professional players and those dependent upon them we urge that the CHAPS payments be extended until the travel restrictions between zones are removed. A large number of our professional and amateur players cannot move to zones outside the zone in which they are situated without considerable expense and dislocation.

To illustrate the point I quote below from one professional whose income from playing polo has dried up since the outbreak. This is typical of the concerns expressed by many. He states:

. "We can not travel to tournaments that we can receive income for eg playing seasons in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.


. To travel into the purple zone requires vaccination. If you were lucky enough to be in a buffer zone or receive free vaccination this would be less painful. Estimated cost is now $200 / horse.

. Then, to get horses passed for quarantine to enter purple zone and return to their own zone has substantial costs. Various estimates of up to $1000 to $1500 per horse.

. To have horses in work is costly, if EI does have another outbreak then this money is wasted. Wages for ancillary staff, feed bills etc continue to be incurred.

. We cannot obtain horses from owners in other zones to train to also generate monies.

. We can not sell horses as they cannot travel without added cost and difficulties into other zones.

. The CHAPS payments should be extended until the Travel Restrictions are finished otherwise people cannot travel to perform their jobs and therefore receive remuneration."

The major polo tournaments in NSW and other States are about to get underway and the employment prospects for professionals such as those mentioned above are bleak. I trust the above provides some direct comment to emphasise the impact upon many of our players and that you will give serious and compassionate consideration to our request. Should you require any further information, I would be pleased to assist.

Yours sincerely

Graham McGregor
President
New South Wales Polo Association