.
Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Jaclyn Symes has announced the make-up of the working group to discuss the potential establishment of a national horse traceability scheme.
The AHIC will have two representatives.
The working group was one of the recommendations from an extensive Federal Senate inquiry process in 2019. Submissions were requested from both individuals and organisations to the inquiry.
The AHIC prepared a submission and Mark Burnell, President of the AHIC was invited (along with others) to appear before the inquiry.
The AHIC representatives on the working group are AHIC Board Directors, Linda Kelly and Dr Meredith Flash.
President of the AHIC, Mark Burnell thanks both Directors for offering to volunteer their time to be part of this important discussion on behalf of our members “Both were chosen by the AHIC to represent our membership due to their extensive professional experience working with a broad cross section of stakeholders in formulating policies.” Mr Burnell said.
Dr Meredith Flash is an experienced equine veterinarian, working with performance horses and is a FEI Veterinary delegate. She has a veterinary epidemiological research background with a particular interest in horse traceability in Australia. Her background also includes many years contributing to Equine Veterinarians Australia and the Australian Veterinary Associate.
Linda Kelly has an extensive senior policy background in agriculture, food production and utilities and is known for her ability to engage stakeholders in effective consultations to create agreed policy outcomes in areas as contentious as water policy.
Both of the AHIC directors are there to represent the views of our financial member organisations.
Over the coming months, we will be conducting professionally facilitated workshops (most likely via Zoom) to garner the views, concerns and aspirations of our members to feed back into the working group on behalf of our members.
We encourage our member organisations to participate in these workshops so we can represent the broadest possible range of opinions.
If you are an organisation and would like to join the AHIC so you can help us effectively represent the scope of the industry you are very welcome. Details here.
Other members of the working party announced this week include;
Kathy Gibson, Animal Health Australia
Karen Day, Racing Australia
Kathleen Mullan, Harness Racing Australia
Dr Bidda Jones, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)
Equestrian Australia
Representatives from state and territory governments as well as the Commonwealth.
Stuart McLean OAM will chair the group, current Chair of the Australian Livestock Saleyards Association.
The press release outlines some further background.
The Working Group will analyse existing animal traceability systems and technologies in Australia, such as the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS), informed by a review already undertaken by Agriculture Victoria; and will put forward recommendations on what form a national register for all horses in Australia should take.
An effective horse traceability system will benefit all horse owners in Australia, including the racing industry, with better traceability for exotic diseases such as equine influenza and African horse sickness, as well as endemic diseases such as Hendra virus.
You can read the entire press release in full here.
We will keep you informed on our website and Facebook of further developments and the workshops.