Chief Stipe Posted May 21, 2020 Share Posted May 21, 2020 INDUSTRY NZ equine exports to Australia suspended - will this have spring carnival ramifications? Article Author Racenet 9:58AM21 May 2020 3 Comments In an unfolding drama that could have potential ramifications for Australian spring racing carnivals, New Zealand has suspended horse exports to Australia due to a possible case of equine piroplasmosis. Equine piroplasmosis is a blood disease that causes anaemia and is spread from animal to animal by ticks. The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has now informed all equine exporters that exports to, or via, Australia are suspended with immediate effect. The news comes a fortnight after trans-Tasman equine flights resumed following a Covid-19 enforced shutdown. ANZ Bloodstock reported that a flight on Tuesday night was prevented from leaving New Zealand, while another shipment, scheduled for Friday night, was also expected to be held over as the department negotiates alternative arrangements with their Australian counterparts, the Department of Agriculture. Equine piroplasmosis has never been identified in New Zealand before but MPI director for animal health and welfare Chris Rodwell confirmed that a mare tested positive to equine piroplasmosis in a pre-export blood test. Rodwell told ANZ Bloodstock News: “Further blood tests have been taken from the mare and we expect confirmation of whether the horse is negative or positive for the disease by the end of this week. “Theileria equi is a blood disease that causes anaemia and is spread from animal to animal by ticks. The horse in question was imported to New Zealand from the EU early last year for breeding. No signs of disease in the animal have been reported in its time here.” The disease cannot be passed from horse to horse without the ticks known to transmit the parasite – and those tick species are not found in New Zealand. But many vet agreements with other countries require that equine piroplasmosis has not been present in the exporting country for a certain period of time. For Australia, the requirement is three years - meaning that, under the current certification process, trans-Tasman exports would be banned until 2023. However officials are confident one case of piroplasmosis in an imported broodmare in New Zealand has not and will not be spread. The hope is horse transportation between New Zealand and Australia will not be stopped long term and perhaps not for much more than a fortnight. Recently, Kiwi powerhouse Te Akau Racing announced it was set to expand its presence Down Under and launch a wave of horses at the spring carnival. It was announced Cambridge Stud would join forces with Te Akau Racing in sending six race fillies to Melbourne for the spring carnival to be trained by Jamie Richards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
INDUSTRY NZ equine exports to Australia suspended - will this have spring carnival ramifications? Article Author Racenet 9:58AM21 May 2020 3 Comments In an unfolding drama that could have potential ramifications for Australian spring racing carnivals, New Zealand has suspended horse exports to Australia due to a possible case of equine piroplasmosis. Equine piroplasmosis is a blood disease that causes anaemia and is spread from animal to animal by ticks. The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has now informed all equine exporters that exports to, or via, Australia are suspended with immediate effect. The news comes a fortnight after trans-Tasman equine flights resumed following a Covid-19 enforced shutdown. ANZ Bloodstock reported that a flight on Tuesday night was prevented from leaving New Zealand, while another shipment, scheduled for Friday night, was also expected to be held over as the department negotiates alternative arrangements with their Australian counterparts, the Department of Agriculture. Equine piroplasmosis has never been identified in New Zealand before but MPI director for animal health and welfare Chris Rodwell confirmed that a mare tested positive to equine piroplasmosis in a pre-export blood test. Rodwell told ANZ Bloodstock News: “Further blood tests have been taken from the mare and we expect confirmation of whether the horse is negative or positive for the disease by the end of this week. “Theileria equi is a blood disease that causes anaemia and is spread from animal to animal by ticks. The horse in question was imported to New Zealand from the EU early last year for breeding. No signs of disease in the animal have been reported in its time here.” The disease cannot be passed from horse to horse without the ticks known to transmit the parasite – and those tick species are not found in New Zealand. But many vet agreements with other countries require that equine piroplasmosis has not been present in the exporting country for a certain period of time. For Australia, the requirement is three years - meaning that, under the current certification process, trans-Tasman exports would be banned until 2023. However officials are confident one case of piroplasmosis in an imported broodmare in New Zealand has not and will not be spread. The hope is horse transportation between New Zealand and Australia will not be stopped long term and perhaps not for much more than a fortnight. Recently, Kiwi powerhouse Te Akau Racing announced it was set to expand its presence Down Under and launch a wave of horses at the spring carnival. It was announced Cambridge Stud would join forces with Te Akau Racing in sending six race fillies to Melbourne for the spring carnival to be trained by Jamie Richards.
All The Aces Posted May 21, 2020 Share Posted May 21, 2020 I reckon they will be back flying next week sometime. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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