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Peter Slipper addresses concerned local horse owners |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 18 October 2007 |
Member for Fisher Peter Slipper
has vowed to bring the concerns of local “recreational” horse owners
directly to the attention of the Australian Government Minister Peter
McGauran.
Mr Slipper addressed some 200 horse owners at a rally organised by the Northcoast Active-riders Group (NAGS) to raise awareness of the concerns of those in the non-racehorse sector.
| Member for Fisher Peter Slipper has vowed
to bring the concerns of local “recreational”
horse owners directlyto the attention
of the Australian Government
Minister Peter McGauran.
|
The major issues from those at the meeting included that vaccines were not available to purchase for those in the non-racehorse sector who wished to proactively vaccinate their horses.
“It is important to recognise that horses owned by so-called recreational horse owners are just as valuable as those in the commercial horseracing industry, so it is important that the authorities consider making the vaccines more widely available to these owners,” Mr Slipper said.
Mr Slipper was the only federal elected representative to attend the rally, which heard that the crisis is having a significant financial affect on equestrian coaches, pony clubs and riding schools as well as support industries such as farriers, saddleries, feed suppliers and the like.
Mr Slipper urged owners to contact Centrelink to take advantage of support services.
“While the EI crisis is being addressed, there is financial support available to affected horseowners to reduce hardship and stress - this is an important and practical measure that helps make up the overall industry approach to the problem,” Mr Slipper said.
He urged horse owners to visit the Australian Government’s website that has been established to help disseminate information: www.outbreak.gov.au
The website includes information about Equine Influenza as well as details about the Australian Government support programmes introduced:
• Equine Influenza Hardship Grant – A $4-million emergency grant programme was announced on 30 August to assist people in NSW, the ACT and Queensland, who are suffering from financial difficulty due to the outbreak.
• Equine Influenza Financial Assistance - Australian Government assistance for people and businesses facing additional costs and significant financial hardship, as a direct result of the Equine Influenza quarantine measures currently in place.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 18 October 2007 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
