The panel recommends to the EA board:
Changing EA’s general regulations to require events to consider biosecurity when carrying out a risk assessment
Currently Article 109 of the EA General Regulations states:
OC’s of all EA events must have a risk management plan and ensure that safety precautions are taken.
The panel was unanimous that the general regulations should be updated to state that all event organisers are required to have a risk management plan as well as a biosecurity risk assessment.
Forming a group to prepare a risk assessment tool to assist event organisers comply with EA General Regulations
Should the initial recommendation be accepted by the board then it is obvious that event organisers are going to require assistance in adhering to this. The panel recommends that a working group be established to develop a risk assessment tool that covers off all risks including all biosecurity risks.
While the panel supports a compulsory biosecurity risk assessment being completed it should not be a requirement the EA risk assessment tool is used as some venue owners will already require events to complete this. The tool is therefore considered a resource for event organisers who do not have access to a biosecurity risk assessment.
The panel agreed the working group established to develop the template should consist of the following representatives. The panel supported having people who would be the ones using the document rather than a paid professional as this would only lead to similar documents which are available (as an example the Animal Health Australia biosecurity tool).
- Vet(s)
- Event organiser(s)
- Venue/lease holder(s)
- Competitor(s)
- Official(s)
- AHA – in an advisory capacity
- One representative from each discipline
Further, the panel recommends a wide reaching consultation once the risk assessment has been developed, particularly with event organisers in NSW and Qld.
The panel recommended that the template be reviewed on an annual basis.
Defining the known Hendra area as acknowledgement that location is important when considering risk
The panel supported the Equine Veterinary Association’s (EVA) definition of the known Hendra area being restricted to the following location:
QLD: the entire QLD east coast and the area contained within a line 200km due east of the coast. In addition, the 200 km line bulges out in an arc at Noosa, to go as far east as 20 km east of Chinchilla. NSW. The north coast of NSW to as far south as 50 km south of Kempsey, and the area contained within a line 200km due east of the coast.
Definition of a vaccinated horse
At this time there is no agreed definition of a vaccinated horse. The Australian Veterinary Association is in consultation with the EA Hendra Working Group to arrive at the definition of a vaccinated horse. The EA Hendra Working Group acknowledge that it has been formed to consider the best interest of EA members and what is in the best interests of EA members may be different to the agenda of the APVMA. The panel has long acknowledged that waiting such time until the APVMA change its regulations could see discussions/action come to a halt as this could take some time to extend beyond the current six months requirement.
Organising committees are advised to consult with their veterinarian of choice regarding if/what biosecurity is required.
Develop a series of guidelines for Organising Committees and FEI vets when setting biosecurity entry conditions
The panel recommends bringing together representatives from the two key groups (those being FEI Vets and EA Organising Committees) to develop a series of guidelines that will assist in determining if/what biosecurity entry conditions are required for events. The guidelines should be simple, easy to understand and easy to comply with.
It is important that this task is undertaken by Organising committees and FEI vets collaboratively, not in isolation of each other. It is recognised that the biosecurity arrangements will vary according to the venue facilities.
