Please help your EFA help you.

A message particularly for horse lovers in NSW and Queensland. The current Equine Influenza emergency is affecting a lot of people.  The “sport” has virtually come to a standstill in NSW and Queensland and is also impaired in other States. The most concerning aspect of the crisis, however, is the economic hardship it is beginning to place on the estimated 15,000 people who make their living from the equestrian industry. We have heard of a number of individual cases, some involving high-profile riders, whose current and expected income has been slashed and who face ruin unless they receive assistance. While the EFA Queensland Branch has been assisting with the situation in Warwick in particular, National and NSW Branch officials have had meetings with Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran and NSW Minister Ian Macdonald. We have lobbied for financial assistance in terms of extended GST and Income Tax payments. We have also asked to get a “new start” allowance subsidy for existing staff so that the best equestrian skills are kept employed during this period. This could subsidise an employee’s wages by approx $260 per week, if they agree. Let’s see what the Government comes back with next week. Unfortunately, the reach of some of the present relief measures does not appear to extend to all of those in need because of the income and property value thresholds on which they are based. We are looking for the lifting of these thresholds and for other ways to assist those in need. Interest-free loans may be one way. We are sure there are others. Coming back to the subject “Please help us help you”. About a week ago, we placed a survey on our web www.equestrian.org.au asking anyone affected by the EI crisis to give us details of how they are affected. We have received around 300 responses so far but there must be many more people who feel the impact but have not as yet completed the survey. We urge you to do this ASAP. We need data to underpin our case for further assistance. We cannot just rely on the stories of a few individuals, however serious their situation is. What is required RIGHT NOW? Every effort by ALL involved in the industry and particularly those “in touch” with horses, to do everything possible to stop the spread of the virus. Compliance with the stock standstill is critical and that this applies to horses, ponies and donkeys, their equipment, floats and trucks. Please follow biosecurity/hygiene guidelines and other instructions. If you don’t know them already, you can find links on our webs. Those of you, who are affected financially by this crisis, please complete our survey and offer suggestions of what can help you. Stay in touch with your Branch Office.  They are working very hard to find help for you through National and State Government channels. Recognise that sooner or later we will come out of this successfully. Hopefully the hay season will be good and we will see lower feed prices by November, too. Lastly, remember that horse riding and ownership is FUN! Many of you can still ride your horses. Spring is here, so look at the bright side! You should know that we have set up a process that will review the equestrian event calendar and re-schedule major events appropriately to ensure that our preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games are optimised.   The Australian Sports Commission is very aware of our situation and is working closely with our High Performance Team to look at a range of initiatives to assist our Elite riders to maintain their preparation under very difficult and trying circumstances. We are also reviewing draft EFA General Regulations, which were intended to come into effect next year. Some event control and “biosecurity” measures may be introduced earlier to help us respond more effectively to the crisis situation and get events going again. Once again, let’s work together to end this crisis. Encourage others to do the right thing. Get your clubs to do the same with their members. Spread the message, not the virus! Geoff Sinclair, EFA President     Franz Venhaus  EFA CEO

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If you have any comments about this newsletter or our website, or want to contribute, you can email us. The Equestrian Federation of Australia 's postal address is PO Box 673, SYDNEY MARKETS, NSW, 2129 Tel: +61 2 8762 7777 , Fax: +61 2 9763 2466 , Email: info@efanational.com.

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