MAF to allow in UK horses

By PATRICK GOWER and EUGENE BINGHAM

Stallions from foot-and-mouth-infected Britain and Ireland are bound for New Zealand amid strict controls to prevent the spread of a disease that would devastate the country's economy.

Breeders have begun taking bookings for about 25 shuttle stallions after an agreement with border officials about stringent quarantine measures. Australian officials have banned the importing of horses because of "theoretical" fears the horses could carry the virus on their hooves or coats.

The move comes as the Government begins a "shock" advertising campaign to warn New Zealanders about the harsh impacts if the country was hit by an epidemic of the proportions being suffered in Britain and Europe.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry television commercials will warn viewers that an outbreak could cost up to 100,000 jobs.

MAF said yesterday that the overall message was that "it was everyone's responsibility to protect New Zealand from foot-and-mouth disease, that everyone would be affected and that the rules and penalties were tough and rigorous."

Some in the horse industry are alarmed that MAF has agreed to allow the animals into the country.

Officials said they could come in as long as their coats and hooves were thoroughly cleaned and the horses were made to travel on rubber mats impregnated with disinfectant. The measures were on top of the usual 30-day quarantine period.

The stance is softer than that taken by the Australian Government.

Quarantine officials in Canberra said that although they accepted that the risk of horses carrying the disease was only theoretical, they had decided against taking the chance.

A Cambridge breeder bringing two horses to New Zealand from Ireland in July said the Australian position was too harsh.

"There is no way a horse is going to carry it," said Nelson Schick, who runs the Windsor Park Stud and is on the executive committee of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

Mr Schick, who will import two shuttle stallions, including Montjeu, rated one of Europe's best gallopers, said he would like to see more controls in place for other risk areas.

But another stud industry insider, who refused to be named, said allowing horses in was "absolute idiocy."

Federated Farmers president Alistair Polson believed there should not be a knee-jerk reaction. "What would we do next - stop all tourists, and then stop all of our trade?"

He said the added stringency of MAF's quarantine should allay fears.

Herald Online feature: Foot-and-mouth disaster

World organisation for animal health

UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

The European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Pig Health/Foot and Mouth feature

Virus databases online