A new Dressage Experience Photograph:BOCOG

Horses to participate in the Olympic Equestrian events should undergo quarantine at designated shipping centers before entering into Hong Kong, according to the announcement made by the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Hong Kong today.

The quarantine period is seven days and the horses should be isolated for another 10 days after their entry, the HKSAR said.

Efforts will be made to prevent spread of any disease from imported equestrian horses to Hong Kong's equine population and between competing horses in the events.

Stella Hung, HKSAR Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), said the horses should be free of clinical signs of diseases, vaccinated before entering, and accompanied by health certificates issued by the veterinary authority of the exporting places. AFCD is to issue special permits for the horse importation and deal with applications for the permits six months in advance of the events.

AFCD will also make proper arrangements in consideration of possible prevailing equine disease conditions in other countries and places, Hung added.

So far, health requirements for the importation of equestrian horses had been set. For that matter, the HKSAR had sought consultations with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

For further information on the horse import arrangements, please visit AFCD's website at www.afcd.gov.hk.