Another $140m for EI from Australian Govt

The racing industry has welcomed another injection of federal funds as it battles to get up and running again in the wake of the equine influenza (EI) outbreak.

Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran yesterday announced a further $A117 million ($NZ140 million) on top of the $A110 million delivered last month.

The money will be split between NSW and Queensland, the two states to experience EI, and will be used for assistance for those who earn a living from racehorses and high performance equestrian horses.

"The coalition will extend the assistance for a further 12 week period, from the 17th of November to the 8th of February," McGauran said.

"We allocated $A110 million for the first 12 weeks, now we are allocating $A117 million for the next 12 weeks.

"The difference of $A7 million between the two amounts is that we've found some horses that we didn't quite allow for."

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys, who was to outline a plan for the resumption of Sydney metropolitan and provincial racing today, said the funds would help keep people in the industry who might otherwise be lost.

"We are ecstatic about it," V'Landys said.

"We are trying to maintain a specific work force and the money has an economic multiplier effect throughout the entire industry.

"It means trainers are able to keep staff employed, jockeys will receive a further $A5,000 payment as will trainers.

"We are very appreciative of the leadership Peter McGauran has shown in this matter.

"The federal government funding has kept the NSW racing industry financially viable in the worst period of its history."

V'Landys would not comment on the NSW government's response to the crisis which has so far been $A7.5 million.

The Melbourne spring carnival is in full swing albeit with only a few horses from NSW and Queensland who were already in Victoria when EI hit.

Horses competing at the carnival have been undergoing staggered vaccination and the iconic Melbourne Cup appears to be in no danger.

"I believe the Melbourne Cup is close to being secured because the vaccination policy in Victoria has meant that most horses racing and competing will reach their full immunity from influenza in the event that it should be transmitted to that state," McGauran said.

He added that the policy of containment and eradication of the disease was as yet inconclusive.

"There were hopes in three months it could be extinguished, that hasn't come to pass," he said.

"I believe all governments should know by February whether or not equine influenza can be contained and eradicated."

An inquiry headed by former High Court judge Ian Callinan is scheduled to resume in Sydney on November 8 after a brief first hearing earlier this month.

The first Australian case of EI was confirmed in August in a stallion awaiting release from Sydney's Eastern Creek quarantine centre after travelling from the Northern Hemisphere.

The inquiury will focus on how the disease infiltrated the general horse population and whether the quarantine protocols in place at the time were adequate.

Sorce: Caryl Williamson, AAP, 22 October 2007