'Purple zone' closer to green light
The Hunter Valley will hopefully have a ‘purple zone’ created around it by the NSW State Government and DPI in the next 7 days. The zone will to allow horse movement, and the subsequent opening of the 2007 breeding season for walk-on mares.
At the moment there is a total lock-down of all horse movement in NSW as officials work to contain the equine influenza.
The purple zone would allow the breeding season to commence, and walk-on mares to be served by stallions already in the Hunter Valley. Once mares enter the purple zone they would not however be able to leave until an ‘all clear’ is given on the EI situation.
After meeting with Ian McDonald, NSW Minister for Primary Industries, earlier today, TBA President John Messara confirmed that the Zoning Plan has met with the following response:
· Agreement in principle to the zoning plan
· There is a need for further discussion on compliance aspects to reassure other jurisdictions
· Subject to further issues arising, the zoning plan will go to the Technical Committee this week
· All going well, the Final Plan will be presented for approval on Monday 17 September
Comments
I can shed some light on your question regarding the 'Purple Zone'.
It is likely that a number of zones will be set up in NSW – the ‘Purple Zone’ being one of these zones. The ‘Purple Zone’ is an area from approximately Murrurundi to around Muswellbrook where the majority of the thoroughbred breeding population resides. A growing percentage of this zone is currently being affected by EI so if a mare moves into this zone she will not be able to move out of it until the area is classified as EI free. It is expected that stallions that stand outside the proposed Purple Zone will also be able to serve mares if they fall within another of the specially designated zones.
As with most things, the zoning proposal may not be a fix for everyone but it is expected to significantly assist in achieving a reasonable foal crop.
We will all have to wait until Monday to know more.
When are the 'Authorities' going to see the wood from the trees?