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Dear Horse Enthusiast,

Do you realise there is a new equine influenza (EI) threat to Australia and in my opinion we all need to do something about it whether we are Pony Clubbers, part-time breeders, recreational riders, competition riders or just horse-lovers.

Never before have I released my column in The Horse Magazine prior to publication but this is the first time and only time it will happen simply because by the time it is available in the news-stands some critical dates will have passed. So to view the early-released May edition of “Ryans Rave” click here. 

Cathie Drury-Klein is hysterical and for good reason about these EI developments. Cathie's explanation and a copy of a letter template to be sent to your parliamentary representative appears immediately below.

This is really important to all of us.

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Dear Horse Industry Representative

This is our last chance to SAY NO to voluntary EI vaccination – PLEASE mail a letter to your local member, state & shadow state members of Parliament & to Minister Tony Burke – there is a template attached to make it easy for you. There are also notes attached on why there is NO need for us to vaccinate “we don’t have EI in Australia”

Or Send an email stating that you do not approve of Voluntary EI vaccination.

TIME LINE: This communication needs to reach your respective parliamentary representatives no later then close of business 19^th April.

I was highly involved in working to eradicate Equine Influenza from Australia two years ago (doesn’t seem that long!).  I feel very strongly that it is in Australia’s best interests to remain free of Equine Influenza.  However, the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Mr Tony Burke, is aligning himself to a small but powerful (money) group of the horse industry, namely those involved in making money from racing and breeding TB horses.  There is scientific evidence to support the view that voluntary vaccination will lead to Equine Influenza being re-introduced to Australia.  Not only will we have wasted billions of dollars to eradicate it but will adversely affect the health of our horses, our industries and our pockets.

Please pass this email to all members of your societies.

Harness Racing Australia has already sent over 350 letters disapproving of Voluntary vaccination but we need more. 

Regards,

Cathie Drury-Klein (former Industry Liaison Officer – 2007/08 EI eradication program)

Contact details below

Copy of email sent last week:

No doubt you have been following recent news releases regarding; the Australian Racing Industry and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and the announcement of support for voluntary Equine Influenza vaccination by the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Hon Mr Tony Burke.

From all reports, the Horse Industry meeting with Animal Health Australia on Thursday before Easter; agreed in principal that all groups represented; supported a horse industry levy which would fund future horse disease outbreaks such as Equine Influenza should they occur. It is strikingly obvious that the Horse Industry is a unique group and special considerations need to be examined closely by Government in cooperation with all Industry Representatives to sustain a fair and equitable levy for our future protection.

We as an Industry need time for consultation; we do not want to be bullied by the money magnitude Industries of Thoroughbred Racing & Thoroughbred Breeders Australia.

What can you do? Distribute the following template letters & information to all members of your Industry – strongly encourage them to send letters to their parliamentary representatives. These letters need to reach the respective parliamentarians no later then 19^th April 2010 in time for consideration before the next Primary Industries Ministerial Council Meeting to be held a few days later.

Please do not hesitate to contact me (details below) if you require further information or assistance.

Yours sincerely

Cathie