EADRA & Horse Levies

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=150 BGCOLOR="#660000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="32400960dvldxa.jpg"> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=160 BGCOLOR="#660033" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="326a09e3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Queensland Horse Council Inc">Home</A></div> <div> <A HREF="mission.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Mission">Our Mission</A></div> <div> <A HREF="news.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News">News</A></div> <div> <A HREF="notices.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Notices">Notices</A></div> <div> <A HREF="comingevents.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Coming Events">Coming Events</A></div> <div> <A HREF="genreports.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="General Reports For Members">General Reports For Members</A></div> <div> <A HREF="membership.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Membership">Membership</A></div> <div> <A HREF="links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links">Links</A></div> <div> <A HREF="gallery.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photo Gallery">Photo Gallery</A></div> <div> <A HREF="contact.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board Of Directors">Board Of Directors</A></div> <div> <B>EADRA & Horse Levies</B></div> <div> <A HREF="hendravirus.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hendra Virus">Hendra Virus</A></div> <div> <A HREF="eiinfo.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="E.I. 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VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 84 WIDTH="691"><div> <B><IMG SRC="534c13e0.jpg" border=0 width="193" height="62" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <I>18th November 2008</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 717 WIDTH="691"><div> <B><U>Horse Disease Response Levy Bills to Proceed</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Levy</B></div> <div> A report from the Senate Committee on the Horse Disease Response Levy Bills was released late last week.</div> <bR> <div> The Senate Committee have <B>recommended that the Bills pass without amendment</B>.</div> <bR> <div> The purpose of the Bills is to impose a levy on the initial registration of horses.  This is to ensure that the horse industry is able to repay any money paid by the Commonwealth on behalf of the industry in the event of an emergency disease outbreak.</div> <bR> <div> Although in chapter two of the report the Senate Committee states, “<I>it recognises the concern of community recreational associations like pony clubs over the issue of levies, but points out that owners of horses engaged in these and similar organisations will not be liable to pay a levy</I>”, it will be interesting to see whether this is actually the case when and if the levy comes into play. </div> <bR> <div> <B>EADRA</B></div> <div> The levy is proposed to assist the industry fund it's obligations under the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA).  The horse industry is not a signatory to EADRA and the proposed legislation would allow this to occur.  Under EADRA, the cost of responding to emergency disease outbreaks is shared by the affected parties.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Compulsory Registration</B></div> <div> The Senate Committee supports the implementation of compulsory horse registration for all horses together with the establishment of a national register.   However it acknowledges that the Commonwealth would need the full cooperation of the states and territories to implement compulsory registration.  The concept of compulsory registration has been referred to the Animal Health Committee of Primary Industries Ministerial Council for evaluation. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Levy Regulations</B></div> <div> <I>The Senate Committee is confident that the regulations can be framed so as to take</I></div> <div> <I>account of the wide diversity of horse ownership and riding activity in the community.</I></div> <div> Other groups however do not share the optimism of the government that all equity issues will be taken into account in the regulations<I>. </I> Without seeing the regulations it is impossible to be convinced that the concerns of recreational riders will be addressed in an equitable way. </div> <bR> <div> The report states it is too early to condemn the proposed legislation without consideration of the regulations that are to come.  The QHC believes that it is too early to support the proposed legislation without knowledge of the regulations that are to come.</div> <div> It would have been informative if the Senate Committee provided the draft regulations before their report was finalised however the Government declined this request.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Author: Dr. Fiona Thompson BVSc (Hons) Queensland Horse Council Inc.</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 84 WIDTH="691"><div> <B><IMG SRC="534c13e0.jpg" border=0 width="193" height="62" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <I>10th October 2008</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 225 WIDTH="691"><div> <B>Update on Senate Enquiry into Horse Disease Response Levy Bills</B></div> <bR> <div> QHC members will already have received this information:</div> <div> An interim report has been issued by the Rural and Regional Affairs & Transport Committee:</div> <bR> <div> "The committee met on Friday 3 October 2008 to consider the chair's draft report on the bills. </div> <bR> <div> After discussion the committee agreed to extend its deliberation on provisions of the legislation dealing with the imposition of levies with a view to making further recommendations to Government.</div> <bR> <div> The committee agreed to report on 13 November 2008."</div> <bR> <div> We will keep you updated when this committee’s final report is handed down.</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 84 WIDTH="691"><div> <B><IMG SRC="534c13e0.jpg" border=0 width="193" height="62" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <I>7th October 2008</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 382 WIDTH="691"><div> <B>Update on Senate Enquiry into Horse Disease Response Levy Bills</B></div> <bR> <div> An interim report has been issued by the Rural and Regional Affairs & Transport Committee:</div> <bR> <div> "The committee met on Friday 3 October 2008 to consider the chair's draft report on the bills.</div> <bR> <div> After discussion the committee agreed to extend its deliberation on provisions of the legislation dealing with the imposition of levies with a view to making further recommendations to Government.</div> <bR> <div> The committee agreed to report on 13 November 2008.”</div> <bR> <div> We will keep you updated when this committee’s final report is handed down.</div> <bR> <div> The QHC Board of Directors will meet this Thursday 9th October in Brisbane.</div> <bR> <div> If you have any items you would like addressed, please email me.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Dr. Fiona Thompson BVSc (Hons)</B></div> <div> Chief Executive Officer Queensland Horse Council Inc.</div> <div> Level 5 Primary Industries Building</div> <div> 80 Ann Street, Brisbane Qld 4000</div> <div> <B>Telephone: </B>(07) 3239 3192 <B>Facsimile: </B>(07) 3239 3504</div> <div> <B>Email: </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Verdana" >Fiona.Thompson@dpi.qld.gov.au</FONT></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 84 WIDTH="691"><div> <B><IMG SRC="534c13e0.jpg" border=0 width="193" height="62" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <I>23rd September 2008</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 1374 WIDTH="691"><div> <B>Horse Levy Senate Committee Submission and Hearing</B></div> <bR> <div> Last Tuesday 16th September, delegates at the Queensland Horse Council‘s Emergency Workshop reconfirmed their position of opposing the signing of the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) in its current form.</div> <bR> <div> In a Catch 22 situation, the Agreement (EADRA) cannot be signed until the Horse Disease Response Levy Bills 2008 are passed.</div> <bR> <div> Despite intensive lobbying of Federal MPs the Bills were passed by the Federal House of Representatives on 3rd September and the Bills have been referred to a Senate Standing Committee for Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport before being put to the Senate for final approval.</div> <bR> <div> However, the timeframe for this Committee’s deliberations is alarming with Submissions being due by Monday 22nd September and hearings set for 24th September leaving precious little time for organizations to scrutinize the Bills, prepare a submission and ensure that a representative will be available to travel to Canberra to give evidence.</div> <bR> <div> Despite this, QHC lodged a Submission based on the outcomes of the Emergency Workshop and will be financing QHC President, Andrew Deacon to attend and represent members at the Senate Committee hearing on Wednesday 24th September.</div> <bR> <div> In another Catch 22, a condition of lodging a Submission to the Senate Committee prevents the QHC from publishing or circulating copies of its Submission.</div> <bR> <div> Last Tuesday’s Workshop analyzed the implications and ramification of the Bills and concluded that the Bills could not be supported without far reaching amendments.</div> <bR> <div> The Bills in question are:</div> <bR> <div> • <B>Horse Disease Response Levy Bill 2008</B></div> <div> An Act to impose a levy on the registration of horses/ponies and for related purposes.</div> <bR> <div> • <B>Horse Disease Response Levy Collection Bill 2008</B></div> <div> Provides for the collection of horse disease response levies and the liability of registration bodies to pay the levy payments to the Commonwealth. Imposes penalties for unpaid levies.</div> <bR> <div> • <B>Horse Disease Response Levy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008</B></div> <div> Amends the Australian Animal Health Council (Live-stock Industries) Funding Act 1996.</div> <bR> <div> Unfortunately they are constructed on framework which is not pertinent to the equine industry and are fundamentally flawed as they do not comply with many facets of the Government’s Guidelines and Principles.</div> <bR> <div> Ambiguous terminology, incorrect definitions and undefined areas relating to the legal implications and ramifications for voluntary horse organizations and volunteers have rendered the Bills unacceptable, unworkable and most importantly, not cost effective.</div> <bR> <div> Other areas of concern surround the fair and equitable collection of any proposed horse levy.</div> <div> Approximately 70% of the Equine Industry does not derive any income from their horses although they pay millions of dollars in GST which is not reclaimable and without benefit from tax deduction on horse related expenditure e.g. feed, fuel, vet expenses, farriers, saddlery and competition entry fees, although these same horse owners are the main stay of these subsidiary industries.</div> <bR> <div> Prior to the September 16 Emergency Workshop, The Queensland Horse Council conducted three surveys on EADRA, proposed levies, compulsory registration and microchipping.</div> <bR> <div> At a QHC General Meeting held on the 15th July 2008 members clearly indicated that they were not prepared to be signatories to EADRA at this time or agree to a levy and the following motion was carried without dissent:-</div> <bR> <div> <I>"that the members of the Qld Horse Council Inc are not in favour of signing the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement or committing to any associated levy at this time"</I></div> <bR> <div> Furthermore, the members rejected any proposal for Compulsory Registration of horses or Compulsory Microchipping.</div> <bR> <div> The QHC’s National affiliate, the Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC) has been fully informed of the QHC’s members’ views, survey results and formal motions but the AHIC has not represented this to the Federal Government.</div> <bR> <div> Under advice from members, the Queensland Horse Council has deferred its membership of the AHIC for the first time in 22 years in order to distance itself from the AHIC’s commitment to support the Bills as they stand and sign EADRA.</div> <bR> <div> For any enquiries, please contact:</div> <div> <I><B>PRESIDENT Andrew Deacon</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Email: </B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="mailto:president@qldhorsecouncil.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:president@qldhorsecouncil.com"><I><B>president@qldhorsecouncil.com</B></I></A></FONT></div> <div> <I><B>Tele: 4933 1866 Mob: 0434 141 523</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Chief Executive Officer </B></I><I><B>Dr Fiona Thompson </B></I><B>BVSc </B>(Hons)</div> <div> <B>Level 5 Primary Industries Bld 80 Ann Street, Brisbane Q 4000</B></div> <div> <B>Tele: 3239 3192 Fax: 3239 3504 Mob: 0423 662 338</B></div> <div> <I><B>Email</B></I><B>: </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="mailto:ceo@qldhorsecouncil.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:ceo@qldhorsecouncil.com"><B>ceo@qldhorsecouncil.com</B></A></FONT></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 68 WIDTH="691"><div> <B><IMG SRC="534c13e0.jpg" border=0 width="193" height="62" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 256 ><NOBR><div> <B>Author: Dr Fiona Thompson BVSc CEO, Queensland Horse Council Inc</B></div> <div> <B>HORSE DISEASE RESPONSE LEVY BILL</B></div> <bR> <div> Last week the Horse Disease Response Levy Bill and cognate Bills were passed through the House of</div> <div> Representatives. The Bills have now been referred to the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and</div> <div> Transport Committee for further review and consultation. This levy would be put into place after an</div> <div> emergency disease incursion.</div> <bR> <div> The QHC is continuing to voice member’s views as is demonstrated by several readings of QHC</div> <div> correspondence in the parliamentary records (Hansard-see). Follow the link below, then click on House</div> <div> Hansard on the left hand side, then go to September 1, 2, 3, 2008 to view the transcripts.</div> <div> www.aph.gov.au/hansard</div> <bR> <div> QHC Directors and members will be attending a workshop to come up with submissions to meet the</div> <div> 22nd September 2008 deadline set by the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee.</div> <div> The Senate Committee will be expecting their report on this matter out by the 3rd October 2008.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="691"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="691" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 174 ><NOBR><div> <B><U><IMG SRC="532a8a80.jpg" border=0 width="680" height="168" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 664 WIDTH="691"><div> <B>ACA Welcomes a Respite in the Overheated Horse Levy Debate </B></div> <bR> <div> The Australians' Campdraft Association Inc (ACA) congratulates the Senate on intervening to inject common sense into the debate over the introduction of a horse disease levy across Australia. </div> <bR> <div> ACA President, Noel Chiconi, said today's decision to refer the package of `Horse Disease Response Levy Bills' to the Senate Standing Committee for Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport is a positive move. </div> <div> "We now have a chance to rectify a flawed levy and collection mechanism which could destroy the viability of the Performance and Pleasure Horse Sector if introduced in its current form." </div> <bR> <div> Mr Chiconi says under the current proposal the performance and recreational horse sector is being disproportionately slugged with the cost of responding to a future exotic disease outbreak like Equine Influenza. </div> <bR> <div> He said the Horse Disease Levy Bills have passed through the House of Representatives, yet the focus of the debate preceding vote was not on the merits of an Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) itself, but on the <U>Levy Collection Mechanism </U>clauses within it. </div> <bR> <div> "Revision of the proposed levy collection mechanism is integral to EADRA being accepted by the Performance and Pleasure Horse Sector," said Mr Chiconi. </div> <div> He noted that "the Minister realised that there certainly was not widespread support for the concept of levy collection on `registered' horses" and therefore more consideration needs to be given to devising an unbiased system for all. </div> <bR> <div> "The solution must be equitable without recreational horse owners across the country being made the signatories to a blank cheque." </div> <div> He said the suggestion by Federal Agriculture Minister, Tony Burke, of a <I>`contingency fee' </I>that would be administered at arm's length from the government is also adding fuel to this fire. </div> <div> "We're extremely concerned about the possible use of the contingency fee to fund a peak body which is not accountable to a membership of horse owners." </div> <bR> <div> Mr Chiconi said it is understood that the Senate Committee will now review the current legislation with actual industry participants and organizations who would be responsible for collecting an EADRA Levy. </div> <div> "The ACA welcomes the chance for proper consultation and the opportunity to directly offer the Senate Committee productive, quality advice and meaningful facts which are well researched by a creditable industry body." </div> <bR> <div> <B>ACA Media Contacts </B></div> <div> Noel Chiconi, ACA President, ph: (07)4623 2711 </div> <div> Robyn Paine, ACA Secretary, ph: (07)4665 9277 </div> <div> Email: aca@campdraft.com.au </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="691"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="691" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 1619 ><NOBR><div> <B><U><IMG SRC="528b24d0.jpg" border=0 width="690" height="1613" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#330033 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="691"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="691" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 156 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="511b2960.jpg" border=0 width="690" height="150" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 1242 WIDTH="691"><div> 23rd July 2008</div> <div> The Hon Tony Burke MP</div> <div> Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry</div> <div> PO Box 6022</div> <div> Parliament House</div> <div> CANBERRA ACT 2600</div> <bR> <div> Dear Minister</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Re Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA)</B></div> <bR> <div> Thank you for your letter of July 15 in response to my correspondence of the 7th March 2008 and explaining your desire for the horse industry to become a signatory to the EADRA and the best method to raise funds to cover the industry’s potential share of future costs.</div> <bR> <div> The Queensland Horse Council has conducted three surveys on EADRA, proposed levies, compulsory registration and microchipping. The QHC promoted these surveys in conjunction with and in support of the AHIC and requested all horseriders to also respond to the official AHIC surveys. Not all associations registered their opinion, however the response represented approximately 20,000 horse riders. The results</div> <div> were:-</div> <bR> <div> <B>1. Should the horse industry sign up to EADRA? (Emergency Animal Disease</B></div> <div> <B>Response Agreement)</B></div> <div> 60% No</div> <div> 25% Yes</div> <div> 15% Undecided</div> <div> <B>2. Do you think horse owners should pay a Government Levy to help pay for</B></div> <div> <B>stopping disease outbreaks?</B></div> <div> 87% No</div> <div> 13% Yes</div> <div> <B>3. Do you think your horse/s should be compulsory registered on a central</B></div> <div> <B>Government database?</B></div> <div> 48% No</div> <div> 35% Yes</div> <div> 17% Undecided</div> <bR> <div> In addition, the QHC convened a General Meeting on 15th July 2008 to further discuss these issues.</div> <bR> <div> As a result I have been instructed to inform you that the members are not prepared to be signatories to EADRA or agree to a levy and the following motion was carried without dissent:-</div> <bR> <div> <I>"that the members of the Qld Horse Council Inc are not in favour of signing the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement or committing to any associated levy at this time"</I></div> <bR> <div> Furthermore, the members rejected any proposal for Compulsory Registration of horses or Compulsory Microchipping. I have also been instructed to advise you that the membership of the Queensland Horse</div> <div> Council represents in excess of 37,500 horse riders and to request that you consider this as a substantial and relevant indication of opposition to EADRA in its present form.</div> <bR> <div> The main concerns relate to you viewing the Horse Industry in the same light as industries such as cattle, dairy and sheep. In brief, the Horse Industry has three sectors, Racing (Thoroughbred & Harness), Commercial and Recreational. The Recreational Sector accounts for 80% of the whole industry but this 80% sector does not derive any income from their involvement and therefore believe they should not be levied or taken as a whole with the other two sectors. A parallel may be seen with the back yard chicken/fowl sector which is far greater than the chicken meat and laying chickens Industries but not included with either Industry.</div> <bR> <div> While the Recreational sector does not derive any income they pay millions of dollars in GST which is not reclaimable and do not get the benefits of the other two sectors such as tax deductions on horse related expenditure e.g. feed, fuel, vet expenses, farriers, saddlery and competition entry fees, although the Recreational Sector is the main stay of these subsidiary industries as was demonstrated by the recent EI crisis.</div> <bR> <div> It was also demonstrated during the EI crisis that the Recreational Sector accepted and co-operated with lock downs and restrictions without the benefit of the financial support given to the other two sectors. This co-operation has not diminished and the QHC membership would welcome further discussion with you. </div> <bR> <div> The following gentlemen are available for this purpose:-</div> <div> John R Brodie Ph/Fax. 07 4659 9706, Mob. 07 439 211 665.</div> <div> Email: <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="mailto:longestride@uqconnect.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:longestride@uqconnect.net">longestride@uqconnect.net</A></FONT></div> <div> and</div> <div> Andrew Deacon Ph 07 4933 1877 Mob: 0434 141523 Email: <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="mailto:andrew@iqhs.com.au" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:andrew@iqhs.com.au">andrew@iqhs.com.au</A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Yours sincerely</div> <div> Lorraine Decker</div> <div> Hon Secretary</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#330033 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="691"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="691" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 149 ><NOBR><div>  <a href="HTMLobj-1325/EADRA_waponyclub.pdf"><img align="bottom" border="0" width="500" height="143" src="HTMLobj-1325/wa_pony_bill1.jpg"></a>  </div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#330033 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="691"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="691" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 681 WIDTH="691"><div> <B><U>"THE FOLLOWING EMAIL WAS SENT TO ALL FEDERAL MPs"</U></B> </div> <div> 1st September 2008</div> <bR> <div> I am writing on behalf of the members of the Queensland Horse Council Inc. (QHC) in regards to the debate occurring in Federal Parliament this afternoon. We are deeply concerned that the pleasure and performance horse owners in Queensland and Australia in general are being misrepresented with respect to the signing of the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) and any resultant horse levies. </div> <bR> <div> As the endorsed Peak Body for the Queensland Horse Industry and representing 37 500 members made up from a wide range of equine activities, the QHC secretary, Ms Lorraine Decker corresponded to Minister Tony Burke conveying the members opposition to EADRA. In this letter sent on the 23rd July 2008 it stated that after three surveys of our members an overwhelming decision was reached not to become signatories to EADRA in its current form. The members were also opposed to compulsory horse registration and microchipping and were against any levies. Whilst it has been confirmed that The Honourable Tony Burke received this letter a response has not yet been received.</div> <bR> <div> At an Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC), Industry Advisory Sub Committee (IAC) meeting in Sydney on 13th May 2008 the topic of EADRA was also discussed.<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Present at this meeting were members of QHC, AHIC, Australian Campdraft Association, Pony Club Australia, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, Equestrian Federation of Australia and Australian Quarter Horse Association just to name a few, all on behalf of the constituents. At this meeting the results from a vote were as follows:</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">13 </B>Associations/Councils etc. <B>opposed to any horse levy</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">2 </B>Associations/Councils <B>support a horse levy</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">1 </B>Association/Council <B>supported a future levy </B>(not EI)</div> <bR> <div> The above information has been gained from the Minutes of the AHIC, IAC meeting, which can be provided should they be required. It has been made known to the QHC that in Federal Parliament today it will be put forward that the Horse Industry is in agreement to EADRA and resultant levies that are required to fund an emergency contingency plan. This is in stark contrast to what the Australian Horse Industry is actually saying. It is my understanding that EADRA was a contractual agreement between willing partners.</div> <bR> <div> All we are asking for is consultation and debate in regards to this matter as we are the voice for the Queensland Horse Sector. We will continue to enquire until answers are given as to why the Pleasure and Performance Horse Sector is not being heard.</div> <bR> <div> Dr Fiona Thompson BVSc (Hons)<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT></div> <div> CEO Queensland Horse Council<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT></div> <div> <U>ceo@qldhorsecouncil.com</U><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT></div> <div> Phone: (07) 3239 3192</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#330033 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="691"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="691" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 362 WIDTH="691"><div> <B>No horse levy yet, says Burke</B></div> <div> <I>4/09/2008 10:43:00 AM</I></div> <bR> <div> The Government has moved to quell horse owners' fears about a levy to fund its disease response activities, saying the Bill passed by the House of Representatives does not impose a levy, but only provides a mechanism for a levy to be imposed if needed in the future. </div> <bR> <div> The Rudd Government yesterday succeeded in passing the controversial Bill through the House of Representatives after three days of debate. </div> <bR> <div> A spokesperson for Mr Burke said the Bill was aimed at providing a mechanism for imposing a levy on horse owners to help cover the cost of responding to future disease outbreaks. </div> <bR> <div> She said the levy set by the Bill was "zero" and would only be raised if needed in future. </div> <div> And the levy rate would be set only after consultation with horse industry stakeholders, she said. </div> <bR> <div> However, Coalition MPs yesterday opposed the Bill, arguing it unfairly placed the majority of the burden on the amateur sports and pleasure horse industry, over the highly commercial thoroughbred and racing industries. </div> <bR> <div> The Bill next faces the Senate where Labor will have to negotiate with the minor parties to ensure its passage into law. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#330033 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="691"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="691" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 428 WIDTH="691"><div> <B>Horse owners to be hit by levy</B></div> <div> <I>2/09/2008 5:21:00 PM</I></div> <bR> <div> Federal Member for Maranoa, Bruce Scott will tonight oppose the Rudd Government's legislation to enforce a horse disease response levy on Australia's equine industry. </div> <bR> <div> Mr Scott said the levy, which would be activated in the event of another equine disease outbreak, such as the equine influenza and Hendra virus, would be imposed upon all registered horses, regardless of the risk they posed to Australia's biosecurity. </div> <bR> <div> “With 80pc of registered horses used for pleasure activities, the burden of this ill-conceived levy will fall on the industry's recreational sector, despite it being highly unlikely it would be responsible for the introduction of a foreign disease,” Mr Scott said. </div> <bR> <div> “The outbreak of equine influenza last year had a financially devastating impact across all sectors of the horse industry - racehorse owners, jockeys, equine-related small businesses, vets, horse breeders, camp drafters and pony club families were all affected by the virus. </div> <bR> <div> “Should another outbreak of an equine disease occur, imposing such a levy would only further hurt an industry facing financial hardship. </div> <bR> <div> “The Rudd Government should not be focused on recouping costs from a possible future outbreak, but instead should be dedicated to immediately improving our quarantine measures to ensure it does not happen again,” he said. </div> <bR> <div> Queensland Country Life</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#330033 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="691"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="691" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC HEIGHT= 1886 WIDTH="691"><div> <B><U>QHC MEMBERS VOTE NOT TO SUPPORT EADRA AT THIS TIME</U></B><B> </B></div> <bR> <div> Members at the QHC's General Meeting on 15th July 2008 endorsed the findings from three surveys and voted against signing the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement or committing to any associated levy at this time. </div> <bR> <div> Furthermore, the members rejected any proposal for Compulsory Registration of horses or Compulsory Microchipping. </div> <bR> <div> Concerns which were voiced in surveys and at the QHC General Meeting related to the Federal Government viewing the Horse Industry in the same light as industries such as cattle, dairy and sheep. </div> <bR> <div> Leading up to the QHC's General Meeting on July 15, key stakeholders meet in Canberra </div> <div> on 25th June 2008. </div> <bR> <div> The following report has been jointly compiled by the Queensland contingent present at this meeting.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>QLD Equine Contingent Meets with Feds </U></B></div> <bR> <div> At recent Australian Horse Industry Council, Industry Advisory Committee meetings, the majority of organizations present have been expressing the opinion that the pleasure horse sector of the horse industry is not agreeable to signing the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA), a levy on horse registrations (or any levy for that matter), compulsory micro chipping and horse movements being tracked through microchipping. </div> <bR> <div> Although this position has been clearly conveyed, the AHIC has communicated to the Federal Government, that the pleasure horse sector is agreeable to signing onto the EADRA which at this stage includes a levy to be set at zero (0) on all horse registrations. </div> <bR> <div> On Wednesday 25th of June, Mr Don Nixon (President of Pony Club Australia), Mr Sean Dillon and Mr Harvey Walters (Australian Campdrafting Association) and Mr Andrew Deacon (Queensland Horse Council) met at Parliament House in Canberra with Federal MP, Mr Chris Trevor (Member for Flynn), Mr Troy Bramston (Senior Advisor to Mr Tony Burke MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry) and Mr Ross Adams (Policy Advisor, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) to discuss EADRA and its implication on the pleasure horse sector. </div> <bR> <div> It was understood during these meetings that when Parliament resumes in late August, the proposed Bill will be voted on for the signing up of the entire horse industry to EADRA, including a levy set at zero (0) on horse registrations.</div> <bR> <div> The QLD contingent tabled the following issues and concerns: </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The AHIC has misrepresented the views of the Pleasure Horse sector regarding being included in EADRA. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The Horse Industry consists of two sectors: </div> <div> a) Racing (Thoroughbred and Harness) </div> <div> b) Commercial (Business)</div> <bR> <div> Both racing and commercial are the industry in every sense of what an industry is, pleasure (hobbyists) is not an industry, has no tax benefits, makes no income and the purpose and intent is enjoyment not business! Therefore, the pleasure horse sector should NOT be levied. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The pleasure sector pays hundreds of millions of dollars in GST that it is unable to be claimed back!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">A levy on registrations will: </div> <div> a) Drastically reduce the number of horses being registered which will: </div> <div> 1) Reduce income and result in financially unviable organisations. </div> <div> 2) Reduce numbers of show and events run or affiliated by these organisations. </div> <div> 3) The pleasure horse sector will disappear resulting in local communities losing tens of thousands in charitable dollars raised from horse events and income derived from event participants purchasing hotels, fuel and food.</div> <bR> <div> b) Create a black market with the use of DNA to prove parentage of unregistered horses.</div> <bR> <div> c) Not work without horse registration of EVERY horse being mandatory, however this will not work unless:</div> <bR> <div> 1) Mandatory micro chipping is implemented (costing the pleasure horse sector hundreds of millions of dollars) </div> <div> 2) Micro chipping will not work unless compulsory scanning and recording of all horse movements is mandatory at ALL horse events. </div> <div> 3) The cost of each individual event organiser to purchase a scanner and scan every horse at events is prohibitive to the pleasure horse sector that runs on volunteer help to be viable.</div> <bR> <div> d) Be extremely costly for example; </div> <div> Based on the recent EI figures had the EADRA agreement already been signed, an estimated one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) would be needed to be repaid to the Federal Government within ten years, including interest!</div> <bR> <div> At ten million per year, with fifty thousand horses currently registered each year, the levy would be around two hundred dollars ($200) per horse!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">If the Federal Government was going to levy the pleasure horse sector as an industry, this sector should subsequently receive the benefits of industry tax deductions on ALL horse related expenditure like, feed, show entries, fuel, vet expenses, saddler and the like. </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>In summary:</U></B></div> <div> The QLD contingent requested:</div> <bR> <div> The levy mechanism of the EADRA agreement is at this stage left out until further and thorough consultation and discussions can take place with the pleasure horse sector. </div> <bR> <div> The pleasure horse sector be exempt of any levy as this will absolutely destroy this sector of the horse industry. </div> <bR> <div> The loss of the pleasure horse sector from the yearly Australian economy and the unrecoverable GST paid is far greater than if the Government was to spend one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) every ten years or so on a horse disease outbreak. </div> <bR> <div> Continued and further discussions on these issues are necessary.</div> <bR> <div> If you agree with these issues raised and do not want to be levied, you need to take action now and write to your respective individual Federal MP and the <B>Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, The Hon Tony Burke MP,</B></div> <bR> <div> email: <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="mailto:tony.Burke.MP@aph.gov.au" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:tony.Burke.MP@aph.gov.au">tony.Burke.MP@aph.gov.au</A></FONT> expressing your concerns. </div> <div> If you require any assistance in what to write or further information about QHC's position, please contact:- </div> <bR> <div> John R Brodie Ph/Fax. 07 4659 9706, Mob: 07 439 211 665. </div> <div> Email: <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="mailto:longestride@uqconnect.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:longestride@uqconnect.net">longestride@uqconnect.net</A></FONT> </div> <div> or </div> <div> Andrew Deacon Ph 07 4933 1877 Mob: 0434 141523 </div> <div> Email: <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="mailto:andrew@iqhs.com.au" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:andrew@iqhs.com.au">andrew@iqhs.com.au</A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> It was demonstrated during the EI crisis that the Recreational Sector accepted and co-operated with lock downs and restrictions without the benefit of the financial support given to the other two sectors. </div> <div> This co-operation has not diminished and on-going consultation is encouraged.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#330033 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="691"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="691" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>