Biosecurity Australia Advice 2008/17

file ref: 07/25098

27 May 2008

Biosecurity Policy Determination - Return of Australia Horses from the 2008 Olympics

This Biosecurity Australia Advice (BAA) informs stakeholders that Australia’s Director of Quarantine has determined a policy for the return of Australian horses from Hong Kong after competing in Olympic and Paralympic events in 2008. Importation of horses can be permitted subject to the Quarantine Act 1908, and the application of sanitary measures as specified in the Quarantine conditions for the return of horses from Hong Kong after competition in the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic events. The policy will be taken into account by decision makers when considering import applications for Australian horses returning from Olympic and Paralympic competition in accordance with the Quarantine Act 1908 and Quarantine Proclamation 1988 as amended.

The equestrian events for the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics are being held in Hong Kong during August and September 2008. As part of Australia’s preparations for these events, Biosecurity Australia has developed quarantine conditions for the return of Australian competition horses for these events. These measures were issued in draft form for public comment on 25 July 2007 (Biosecurity Australia Policy Memorandum (BAPM) 2007/17). No stakeholder comments were received.

Finalising these conditions was delayed due to the equine influenza outbreak in Australia. The final conditions have been amended to make them consistent with requirements for other countries that were revised following the outbreak.

The Director of Quarantine has now determined the policy to permit the entry of Australian horses returning from the 2008 Olympics to Australia. Importation of horses can be permitted subject to the Quarantine Act 1908, and the application of sanitary measures as specified in the Quarantine conditions for the return of horses from Hong Kong after competition in the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic events, May 2008. These measures are designed to limit quarantine risk to a level which is acceptably low, consistent with Australia’s conservative approach to quarantine.

The quarantine measures will be reviewed and adjusted where necessary as a consequence of the impending recommendations from, and the government’s response to, the Commission of Inquiry into Equine Influenza.
The policy determination and related information have been forwarded to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). AQIS will take the determination and policy advice into account when considering applications for import permits.

Please pass this notice to other interested parties. If those parties wish to be included in future communications on this matter they should get in touch with the contact officer (details below).

Information on AQIS import permits can be obtained from the AQIS website or by facsimile 02 6272 3110.

Information on risk assessments being conducted by Biosecurity Australia is available from the Biosecurity Australia website.

Robyn Martin
General Manager
Animal Biosecurity

Contact officer: Geoff Chubb
Telephone: 02 6272 5331
Facsimile: 02 6272 3399
Email: Animal Biosecurity