Weekly Times Now – Southbank,Victoria,Australia
AUSTRALIA’S peak veterinarian body is supporting calls for a levy on the horse industry to fund research into the Hendra virus.
John Brady, owner of the central Queensland horse stud involved in the most recent Hendra virus outbreak, says a $25 per horse levy imposed in Queensland would provide much-needed funding for research into the deadly disease and to develop a vaccine.
The Australian Animal Health Laboratory, at the forefront of this research, has a three-year, $5 million project studying bat viruses such as Hendra virus to ultimately develop a vaccine.
Rockhampton vet Dr Alister Rodgers died last month after treating infected horses on Mr Brady’s property.
Australian Veterinary Association president Dr Mark Lawrie said he supports a national horse levy.
«The horse industry is the only major industry not supported by a levy which puts this sector at risk of emerging animal diseases,» Dr Lawrie said.
«So it’s time to look seriously at funding research and emergency disease responses through a national horse levy.»
He said using part of a levy to fund research into Hendra was crucial for horse owners and the industry.
But a vet at the centre of a previous outbreak that claimed the life of Brisbane vet Ben Cunneen last year says horse owners should not be asked to fund research into a disease passed from bats to horses to humans.
Dr David Lovell’s Redland Bay veterinary clinic was stricken by an outbreak of Hendra virus in August 2008.
«I think a national levy for research in general is a thing that’s worthwhile, but Hendra virus is probably a very rare, very regional, very localised problem,» he said.
Dr Lovell said attempts over 20 years to levy horse owners had met with strong opposition.
Bids to place a registration levy on all horses as a response to the equine influenza outbreak in 2007 met fierce resistance, he said, adding that Hendra virus was more a social issue than simply relating to the horse industry.
«This is a disease that kills humans and I think this (research) has to come from the public purse,» he said.
«The number of horses that are actually affected with the disease is minimal.
«The issue is you cannot afford to have such a disease that affects humans so seriously.»
He said the research was necessary because Hendra virus could evolve to affect all humans.
A vaccine for humans should be the priority, and a quick, portable test to determine whether a horse had Hendra virus should be developed, he said.
The mechanism whereby the disease passes from bats to horses should also be a critical area for research.
The president of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Queensland Association, Bob Frappell, said he doubted the practicality of a levy.
«I just doubt the practicality of it and whether the government has got the will to impose it against people’s wills because that is what it would take,» he told ABC Radio.
Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin said such a levy would be a matter for the Federal Government.
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