The Federal Government has approved a simpler process for transporting horses to and from Australia.

Agriculture Minister Joel Fitzgibbon welcomed the streamlined horse import conditions which will be in place for the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival.

Fitzgibbon said the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry had determined that simplifying the quarantine process can support the safe import of horses.  “The science shows that the risks posed to the Australian environment and animals can be managed with the new consistent process,” Fitzgibbon said.  “Up until now it was a bit of a lottery the period of time horses spent in quarantine.

“After a thorough scientific review it’s been determined that horses need only stay in quarantine in Australia for two weeks.  The new two-week rule will allow trainers and owners to transport fit, healthy and disease-free horses with certainty.

Quarantine processes proved the weak link that let equine flu into Australia in 2007.  The E.I. outbreak is estimated to have cost Australia up to $1 billion, both in costs of containment and lost earnings within the horse industry.

In 2008, a 343-page report by retired judge Ian Callinan was released following a commission of inquiry.  It included 38 recommendations for change, which the federal government set about implementing.

Callinan’s report outlined a litany of failings and shortcomings in the operation of the Australian Quarantine Inspection Services that, in his view, contributed to the escape of the virus from Sydney’s Eastern Creek Quarantine Centre.

Nearly six years on from the epidemic, law firm Maurice Blackburn is leading a class action against the Commonwealth Government for losses incurred to the horse and racing industry.

There are 550 clients involved in the case and Maurice Blackburn class actions principal Damian Scattini said it was most likely a trial date wouldn’t be set until next year.