Biosecurity and Horses
Dear HECD Member
Over the past few years, the Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF) has been doing a lot of work to promote biosecurity amongst small rural landholders.
Our work has been aimed at small producers of both livestock and plants. Our previous research indicates that ‘biosecurity’ is poorly understood and biosecurity measures are not in practice on most small properties. This poses a major pest and disease risk to our larger agricultural industries and the livelihood of many Australian farmers.
However, the recent equine influenza (EI) outbreak in Australia has made a lot of people aware of biosecurity and its importance.
While biosecurity precautions remain critical during the EI response, it is important to remember they should be an everyday activity on your property. It doesn’t matter whether you just have a pet pony, own a number of horses or are a breeder.
A lot of biosecurity information is provided on the Outbreak website, and you may have come across this site during the EI outbreak. DAFF has now incorporated a Biosecurity and Horses web page into its information for small rural landholders. We invite you to read the information on this page and pass it onto fellow horse owners. This information can be accessed through the other relevant information for small rural landholders at www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity.
How can we help you further?
DAFF is interested in working with sporting and breed associations, pony clubs and individual horse owners to provide them with information that will assist in preventing future pest and disease outbreaks. We are open to your suggestions as to what type of information your club/group would be interested in receiving. Our Department has an expert veterinary team, as well as a good relationship with your state or territory’s Department of Primary Industries or Agriculture.
Over the past few years we have undertaken similar activities, working with bird fanciers and their clubs to promote bird biosecurity, and to make people aware of the possible dangers of avian influenza and other bird diseases. DAFF developed a range of material that was well received, including fridge magnets, feed scoops, fact sheets and web information. This material was made available through each of the bird groups as well as feed suppliers, vets and at a number of events including field days.
I hope this information will be of use to you and we look forward to working with you on this important issue in the near future.
With regards
Dr Andy Carroll
Australian Chief Veterinary Officer
Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer
Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601
E: small.landholder@daff.gov.au