Zones next phase in fight against equine influenza: Macdonald (19 September)

A four-colour zoning system has been introduced in NSW as the next stage of the Iemma Government’s Equine Influenza Protection Plan, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald announced today.

Minister Macdonald said the new zoning plan would see restrictions on horse movements softened in some areas of the State, particularly the important breeding areas of the Hawkesbury and the Hunter, while allowing the Government to concentrate on eradicating the problem.

"Zoning will enable us to focus our resources on known disease spots and high risk areas in NSW," he said.

"While at the same time introducing common sense measures to help the breeding and racing industries survive.

"We have listened to the industry - taken its concerns on board and come up with a sound plan that maintains our commitment to stamping out the disease while allowing some movement of mares and foals in areas like the upper Hunter," he said.

"The purple zone is designed to allow valuable breeding activity to be conducted - it will allow horses with a permit to be brought in for breeding purposes, however, they cannot leave the zone until authorised by DPI."

Minister Macdonald said based on information gathered by epidemiologists, surveillance teams and field veterinarians, the State will be broken into four colour zones representing the known level of disease infection and risk of spread.

The zones are:

Green - Protected Area - no disease, aim to keep free. Currently includes the Far West,  Riverina and Eden-Monaro areas. Travelling Horse Statement required and a permit for events.

Amber - Control Area - no confirmed disease, suspect horses to be investigated as quickly as possible. Based around large parts of the Central West and North Coast areas. Movements may be authorised for racing and breeding. Movements to other events prohibited.

Red - Restricted Area - area of at least 10 km around Infected Premises, high containment and biosecurity to be applied to individual premises and area. Currently includes a band stretching from Sydney, Newcastle and Central Coast areas roughly following the New England Highway up to the Queensland border. Limited permits within the red zone, current movement restrictions stand.

Purple - Special Restricted Area - largely infected, high containment and biosecurity applied to movements out of area. Includes two purple zones in the Upper Hunter and North West Sydney. Can move in with a permit but cannot leave until authorised.

"Zoning is a logical and internationally recognised method of containing and eradicating disease," Minister Macdonald said.

"The new zones will be effective from Friday and regulations will be supported by the NSW Police Force."

Minister Macdonald said information was being gathered every day on how the disease is spread.

"Today there are 1363 infected properties with 11,872 horses and another 670 properties are suspect. All infected properties are in containment lines," he said.

"The challenge now is to let horse owners know where they fit within the EI Protection Plan and ensure they fulfil their responsibilities. 

"It is clear zoning hinges on the support of the general public and importantly each and every horse owner - no matter whether they own a racehorse worth tens of thousands or a companion pony.

"The value of these horses to their owners is the same - the Government recognises that.

"We are doing all we can to eradicate this problem and discover just how it got into NSW in the first place."

Minster Macdonald said more details of the EI Protection Plan zoning will be available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza

Key contacts:
NSW Equine Influenza Hotline 1800 675 888
Website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza