UPDATE E.I. RESTRICTIONS 21/9/07
Western Australia

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries WA (DAFWA) website  www.agric.wa.gov.au is being updated 21/9/07 to reflect the new importation conditions for horses, reproductive material and horse gear to WA.

However these documents are not effective till 4pm Monday 24/9/07

Please delay any application, for horse movement or movement of gear or reproductive material,   UNTIL AFTER TUESDAY 25th  SEPTEMBER  so it will not be held up.

To ensure members work on the current versions they should check the DAFWA website from time to time.

Diane Bennit  -  Chairperson  WA Horse Council

MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
MEDIA STATEMENT

Lifting Of The Ban On Horse Movements in WA 21/9/07

Strict conditions on horse movements into WA.Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance said today that Western Australia was set to allow the movement of horses from States that are free of equine influenza (EI)ARM under strict conditions.

The lifting of the ban is consistent with the provisions of the national management of EI endorsed by the Consultation Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD).

Mr Chance said horses from the non-infected States of Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory would be permitted entry into WA, as long as they met the entry conditions.

He said horses from New South Wales and Queensland, where equine influenza had been detected, were not permitted.
“Horses from non-infected States will now be allowed into Western Australia under permit from the Department of Agriculture and Food,” he said
.
“They will need to meet a number of criteria before leaving their state of origin, including an application for entry to WA and relevant permits, a period of isolation from any other horses and a veterinary inspection prior to loading for transport. 

“Horses will also need to meet several criteria on arrival in Western Australia, including an additional period of isolation of seven days and veterinary checks.”

The Minister said reproductive material, including semen, would be allowed into WA from
non-infected States but was prohibited from the restricted zones in New South Wales and Queensland where equine influenza had been confirmed or was suspected.

“A declaration by the collector of the semen is required and strict biosecurity protocols must be followed to ensure all packaging for reproductive material is cleaned and disinfected prior to being dispatched,” Mr Chance said.

“Semen poses little risk of introducing equine influenza into Western Australia.

“Horse tack is also allowed to be brought into WA from non-infected states and areas outside the restricted zones in NSW and Queensland.

“Tack must be cleaned and disinfected prior to entry and have not been in contact with any horse for a period of 48 hours prior to transport.

“Tack is prohibited from restricted zones in Queensland and New South Wales where equine influenza has been confirmed or is suspected.”

The new border restrictions for horses will be effective from Tuesday, September 25, 2007.
Information on applying for permits to move horses into WA will be available from the Department of Agriculture and Food website http://www.agric.wa.gov.au