Biosecurity for Cairns Show

“Working Together for Animal Health” - In order to protect the welfare of animals attending the 2012 Show the following procedures are in place to ensure the safety of both our Competitors and their horses:

• A veterinarian will be on call during the event
• A method of making emergency phone calls or alternative communication
• A plan to minimise public access to stable areas
• Separate vehicle parking for competitors and spectators
• Entry into the grounds will be via 2 entry points only. Scott Street and Severin Street gates only.
• Especially in eating and horse-handling areas adequate hand-hygiene facilities have been supplied with the installation of Veterinarian grade alcohol gel dispensers
• Designation of an isolation area for sick horses
• Encouraging good hygiene practice between horses for officials/stewards
• Identification of horses
• Do not share equipment, including food and water containers, between horses. Avoid use of communal water troughs.

The Cairns Show Association makes the following recommendations for all competitors:

Primary responsibility for biosecurity at horse events lies with the horse owners/competitors, long before the event.

• Practice good biosecurity, good hygiene and decontamination of equipment.
• Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand wipes and waterless hand hygiene solution immediately after handling horses.
• Do not knowingly take sick horses to an event.
• If a horse is unwell at an event, notify an event official.
• Stop all non-essential contact with the sick horse and blood or body fluids from the horse until a veterinarian has excluded Hendra virus infection as the cause of illness.
• Do not allow children to have close contact with a sick horse, at least until infection has been ruled out by a veterinarian.
• Promptly isolate sick horses and seek veterinary advice. Also isolate any equipment that has come in contact with the sick horse.

It is important that each person intending on bringing a horse to this upcoming competition fills out the Horse Health Declaration Form  Pre Movement biosecurity declaration.pdf and return it to the Cairns Show Association Office by Tuesday 1^7th July if unable to do this Horse Health Declaration Forms will also be available from the Centre Ring Office during the Show.

Further information regarding the Hendra Virus is available at http://www.qld.equestrian.org.au/default.asp?Page=26405 

If you suspect your horse is sick, please DO NOT bring it along to the event.

WASTE

• Designated waste skips will be placed outside the stables.

• All manure must be placed in this skip.

• NO other waste can be placed in this skip except manure, sawdust and hay.

• If the skip is contaminated by other waste the fertiliser company will not be able to take it..

Please place all manure in this skip.

As a skip is now provided please do not dump manure in the alleyways. Please keep the alleyways clean.