ARB Representation To Govt On EI Eradication Costs

Directors of the Australian Racing Board yesterday "unanimously resolved to continue representations to the Federal Government opposing any attempt being made to impose on horse owners the costs of the program to deal with the consequences of the outbreak of equine influenza from the Eastern Creek Quarantine Station in August 2007". It is estimated these costs will be in excess of $100 million. ARB chairman Bob Pearson said: "We believe it would be fundamentally inappropriate & inequitable for the horse industry to bear the costs of mounting a response to a disease outbreak in circumstances where it had been established that the Commonwealth did not maintain an adequate set of measures to protect the horse population from that outbreak occurring. The findings ultimately made by the current Inquiry being conducted by Ian Callinan are likely to provide a factual basis upon which to make such an assessment in this case." (Feb 27)

Meeting To Consider National EI Vaccination Program
Directors of the Australian Racing Board yesterday also "gave further consideration to the issue of on-going vaccination". The Board was assisted by presentations from: Dr Graeme Garner (Manager of Epidemiology, Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry); Dr James Watson (Australian Animal Health Laboratory); Henry Plumptre (Aushorse); & Dr Paul O'Callaghan (regulatory veterinarian with experience working in the UK, where vaccination is compulsory, & in managing Sandown Quarantine Station). The Board resolved that "in light of the industry losses sustained as a consequence of the current EI outbreak, it was essential that the ARB request a meeting of the Primary Industries Ministerial Council be convened to consider the issue of a permanent on-going national vaccination program for thoroughbred racing & breeding". (Feb 27)

ARB Report On Implications Of New Gene Technologies
The Australian Racing Board also considered a report on the implications for Australian racing of new gene technologies. ARB chairman Bob Pearson noted: "We commissioned this research because we want to put the industry on the proper footing to deal intelligently with the implications, both positive & negative, of new gene technologies. This is a complex area: on one hand, these new gene technologies have the real potential to open up fresh integrity challenges as well as welfare concerns; on the other hand, there is the exciting prospect of greatly enhancing the legitimate therapeutic treatment of horses. Getting this right is obviously essential, but just as important is taking timely action rather than playing catch up." The report (by geneticist Dr Natasha Ellis:

• Identifies potential targets for gene doping in horses (including muscle growth & enhancement of oxygen supply, plus genes targeted at improving resistance to fatigue, pain tolerance, conformation, disease susceptibility or temperament).
• Identifies the welfare issues (& notes experimental technologies carry inherent health risks).
• Identifies potential therapeutic benefits (drawing attention to the potential to use gene therapy as a legitimate treatment for injuries or disorders).
• Identifies current difficulties in testing to detect use of gene technologies.
• Recommends on the elements of a strategy to be developed by the ARB.

(Feb 27)