HorseCouncil.org.au
Title
Horse Council
Description
A major concern for the broader horse industry is the lack of a permanent funding base for Research and Development (R&D). Funds provided to the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC) receive dollar for dollar matching grants from the Federal Government. RIRDC supervises an excellent R&D program that uses available funds extremely effectively. Through a range of media RIRDC disseminates research results, and extensive educational material, widely throughout the horse industry. The AHIC works with RIRDC's horse program through the attendance at workshops, input into the strategic plan for equine research and support for the industry owned R&D that benefits all horses.
Animal health programs are administered by Animal Health Australia (AHA). AHA is a public company jointly and equally funded by Federal Government, state and territory governments and livestock industries. The AHIC, the Australian Racing Board (ARB) and the Australian Harness Racing Council (AHRC) are members of AHA. The AHIC, ARB and AHRC have worked intensively with AHA, however real outcomes for horses have been limited because of a lack of funding from the recreational sector of the horse industry.
The Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) provides the AHIC with protocols and risk analysis reports dealing with not only equines, but many other species that share disease risk. The AHIC contributes comment and input on these reports.
