EFA Chairman Geoff Sinclair has called on all EFA members to actively lobby local, state and federal politicians and government departments to help raise the profile of our industry during the EI crisis.  The three key issues that are needed to get us back on the road to recovery from EI need to be kept firmly on their agendas.

Geoff says the three key issues are:

·        Vaccination

·         Interest supplement payments

·        Re-starting events

Vaccination

In its horse industry recovery plan, ‘Back in the Saddle’ (BITS), presented to the Federal Government on 8 October 2007, the EFA called for a commitment by Government for a contingency plan to be put in place by 31 October 2007 to immediately commence vaccination of all equestrian horses if EI had not been brought under control by November 2007.

Eradication of EI remains the Government’s aim, but vaccination of non-racing horses in purple zones and vaccination buffers around red zones has commenced. Over the next few months, there will soon be sufficient vaccines in the country to treat 350,000 horses. We should be lobbying now to have an ongoing vaccination strategy for all equestrian horses put in place immediately if there is no definite end to the current EI outbreak in sight.

Interest Supplement

Over 14,000 equestrian businesses employing over 30,000 staff nationally, along with thousands of individuals, earn their living entirely from the equestrian sport and leisure industry. Many have large mortgages and many have had their incomes slashed as a result of EI.

EFA has called on the Federal Government for further assistance, including to immediately provide 50% interest payment relief from August 24, as has been done for farmers through drought relief, to help prevent many small businesses and their staff from being forced out of the equestrian industry.

Re-starting Events

Across Australia, in all states, thousands of local, state, national and international events, shows and rallies have been cancelled from August through until 2008. Federal and State governments have expended huge effort and dollars to help get racing back on its feet; they must now do same for the equestrian industry.

The EFA has requested of the Federal Government a $20 million dollar funding package for the equestrian industry to enable it help get events and other equestrian activities up and running from January 2008 so that whole industry can be saved.

While Minister McGauran announced an extension of the Equine Influenza assistance package for a further 12 weeks to 8 February 2008 and made an additional $117 million in funds available, we must continue to call on him to provide interest rate relief to individuals and business and to provide funds that can be applied at all levels to get events back on track. Vaccination for all equestrian horses is a must if the spread of EI cannot be contained rapidly by the current vaccination strategies.

Geoff Sinclair and Franz Venhaus continue to work tirelessly to keep equestrian interests in the forefront of discussion and decision making. They are holding personal meetings and weekly discussions with the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Peter McGauran and his department head Dr Conall O’Connell, who is also Chair of the National Management Group that is directing the EI control and eradication program. Geoff has also met with the Federal Minister for Small Business Fran Bailey; Federal Tourism and Industry Minister Ian McFarlane and Federal Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Tourism Senator Kerry O’Brien. All have now a much better understanding of the plight of the non-racing horse sector, its size and its importance for Australia. Amazingly, only a few constituents had actually contacted these important politicians to make them aware of the hardship that so many are experiencing right now.

You can do your part, too

Every voice counts in the fight against EI: add yours now.

Contact your local State and Federal members of parliament and all local candidates in your electorate for the upcoming federal election. Ask to meet with each of them to discuss the EI situation. During the meetings discuss the following topics:

·        How EI has directly affected competition, Pony Clubs, shows and events in your area;

·        How EI has affected you;

·        What impact EI has had on your income and equestrian activities;

·        Explain the three key points of the EFA’s  recovery strategy, stressing that in combination they will ensure the survival of the equestrian industry in Australia post-EI;

·        Ask the member/candidate what his/her party’s stance on the EI situation is;

·        As what the member is doing to assist his/her constituents who have been adversely affected by EI;

·        Similarly, ask candidates what they will do if they are elected to Parliament on 24 November;

·        Ask what the member/candidate will do to support/promote the adoption of the EFA’s industry recovery plan;

·        Ask the member/candidate to issue a press release acknowledging the serious affect EI has had on the equestrian community in his/her electorate and also acknowledging that it is not just the racing industry that requires urgent assistance.

·        Ensure that you have a copy of Geoff Sinclair’s 8 October letter to Minister McGauran, the ‘Back in the Saddle’ Plan and the Events drive the Horse Industry' mindmap to leave with the member/candidate. (Click the respective word to download the PDF files.)

If you aren’t able to arrange a meeting with one or more of your local members/ candidates, write a letter covering each of the above points and enclosing a copy of Geoff’s letter and the ‘BITS’ Plan.

You can also add your voice by contacting relevant State and Federal Ministers and Federal Opposition spokespersons. You can access key contact details here.

The EFA will continue to lobby government on behalf of all members of the equestrian community. Please add you voice to these efforts.