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Biosecurity

Biosecurity

Maintaining a healthy and disease-free Standardbred population is good for the overall welfare of the horses. Certain exotic equine diseases pose considerable welfare and economic risks to Standardbred racing and breeding in New Zealand.

Biosecurity measures are the best protection against exotic diseases.  Harness Racing New Zealand is a member of the New Zealand Equine Health Association, which is mandated by equine sector groups as a signatory to the Government Industry Agreement biosecurity deed with the Ministry for Primary Industries.  These organisations work together to ensure that the welfare of horses in New Zealand is not affected by such diseases. This enables New Zealand Equine Health Association to enter into operational agreements regarding readiness and response for exotic equine-related diseases.  These agreements will help equip the industry with tools to support the quick and efficient control of exotic disease outbreaks.

There are nine equine specific diseases that are notifiable in accordance with the Biosecurity (Notifiable Organisms) Order 2016:

  • Equine influenza
  • Contagious equine metritis
  • Equine infectious anaemia
  • Equine viral arteritis
  • African horse sickness
  • Glanders
  • Equine encephalitis viruses (various forms)
  • Epizootic lymphangitis
  • Equine piroplasmosis.

In addition, there are endemic and usually dormant diseases such as Strangles and Equine Herpes Virus, which occur from time to time, are highly contagious and can have severe effects on our equine population.  Tetanus is a constant risk; Salmonella and Rotavirus are also of particular concern to the breeding industry whoever these can be managed and controlled by a vigilant vaccination regime.

New Zealand Equine Health Association, New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association and the New Zealand Equine Research Foundation have jointly provided vaccination guidelines for managing infectious diseases endemic in New Zealand (last published 2014).

Importing Horses

There are special procedures for importing horses, donkeys, and their cross-breeds into New Zealand, to help reduce any biosecurity risks. You can only import from approved markets. The markets are:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • European Union member states
  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
  • Macau
  • Singapore
  • United States of America.

https://www.mpi.govt.nz/importing/live-animals/horses/

Harness Racing New Zealand will:

  1. Continue to support New Zealand Equine Health Association activities as a signatory to Government Biosecurity Agreements and initiatives
Industry Information