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  • Normal Export Protocols to Resume

    Friday, 4th June 2021

    Export of horses to and via Australia is set to return to normal with New Zealand in the final stages of having Australia accept its country freedom from Theileria equi status. Travel was halted last year after a single, isolated case of the tick-borne protozoal disease, piroplasmosis was found in New Zealand. According to NZ Racing Desk, following the detection of the single case, New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight, IRT, the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and the New Zealand Equine Health Association have worked closely with MPI (Ministry For Primary Industries) to regain the country freedom status. Australian authorities have confirmed they have accepted the amendments to the new health certification from MPI, and New Zealand authorities are now awaiting final sign off to recommence the effortless exporting process again between New Zealand and Australia. Once this is completed the added expense of the extra blood tests and paperwork to travel will be removed, and the time between booking and export will be reduced giving breeders and owners increased flexibility when making flight plans. “It has been about getting all the information together and getting Australia to accept our country freedom status,” NZB Airfreight Manager Greg Northcott said. “Without that we have to take the extra pre-export blood tests which has been very challenging as they have to get exported to Perth for testing.”