24 May 2009

Movement of racehorses around NZ to be tightened

8:45 pm on 24 May 2009

Controlling the movement of racehorses around New Zealand is to become more stringent to help guard against the outbreak of viruses.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing says from June, any racehorse away from its stable for more than a week will be recorded on a database.

Thoroughbred Racing spokesperson Simon Cooper says the horse population is one of the most mobile of all animal populations.

He says if equine influenza did reach here, strict movement controls and mapping of horse populations would be essential components of the response.

Mr Cooper says this database will allow a continual fix on the position of every racing horse in the country.

He says tracking in this way is a key component of improving biosecurity.