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3. Import Ban Lifted But With Conditions 19/05/2001

Stringent New Arrangements For Horse Imports

Stringent new arrangements that will enable thoroughbreds and other horses to be safely imported into Australia from foot and mouth disease (FMD) countries were announced today by Biosecurity Australia.

At the beginning of the foot and mouth outbreak in the United Kingdom and Europe, a commitment was made to review Australia's temporary suspension of imports of potential FMD risk animals and products.

In light of community and industry concern over the importation of horses, a thorough examination of the risks has been undertaken in consultation with the Australian horse industry, veterinary authorities and other stakeholders.

Imports can safely be allowed under a series of stringent conditions that will maintain Australia's disease freedom.

The new arrangements are interim only and take effect immediately. They mean horses can be imported from the United Kingdom and the rest of the European Union under existing protocols, providing:

& the horses spend the mandatory three-week pre-export quarantine (PEQ) period at an approved quarantine facility in a country that does not currently have a significant FMD outbreak;

& no FMD-susceptible species have been permitted in the quarantine premises for 28 days before the quarantine period begins;

& the PEQ premises must be at least 10 kilometres from an FMD infected property. (This distance is a minimum, and indicative only. It may be changed if circumstances require);

& at the importer's expense, an Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) veterinarian has inspected, approved and audited the PEQ facility and has supervised the disinfection of horses, equipment and transport;

& the horses are transported to and from the quarantine premises in vehicles that have been cleaned and disinfected to the satisfaction of the AQIS veterinarian;

& the horses - including their coats and hooves - and associated equipment are cleaned and disinfected to the satisfaction of the AQIS veterinarian;

& any personnel accompanying the horses may bring only clean, laundered clothing with them to Australia, with their footwear to be inspected, cleaned and disinfected when the horses arrive for the mandatory two-week post-entry quarantine at a government quarantine station; and

& all horses and equipment are cleaned and disinfected on arrival, and personnel accompanying horses do not wear any work clothing or shoes when leaving the quarantine station.

Because England, Scotland and Wales have current major outbreaks of FMD, horses from those countries will need to undergo PEQ in another country, at this stage.

The new conditions will be reviewed progressively and modified as necessary to reflect changed circumstances and to ensure the quarantine risks are addressed, while at the same time minimising the impact on the horse industries.

Although horses can not contract FMD they can potentially carry the virus on their coats or hooves.

The new arrangements are consistent with the strict quarantine protocols that have kept Australia free from FMD for almost 130 years, and meet all scientifically based concerns over the potential transport of the FMD virus.

Simon Brady, Biosecurity Australia Media Liaison (02) 6272 381

Last Update Saturday, 02 March 2002
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