NZB Airfreight Resumes Flights to Australia
11 September 2007
New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight made its first flight to Australia today since the suspension of all flights carrying horses between New Zealand and Australia was announced in the wake of the Equine Influenza outbreak in Australia.
New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Manager Greg Northcott confirmed that the first movement of horses was to Victoria earlier today.
"We carried five horses to Melbourne from Auckland at midday today, including one racehorse, and now plan to resume our scheduled weekly service to Melbourne from next Tuesday as long as there is the demand for it."
New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight also plans a flight from Auckland to Perth on Wednesday 19th September 2007.
New Zealand's borders are still currently closed to all horses from Australia following the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Biosecurity NZ (MAFBNZ) decision on 25 August.
Greg Northcott explained, "At this stage MAFBNZ has advised us that it's too early to say when the suspension on imports will be lifted however we are currently working closely with them to put a plan into action so we can be ready to import as soon as practicably possible."
"While we are eager to return to business as usual our main objective has to be to keep New Zealand EI free so we are working through all the options for future travel and quarantine procedures."
On 4 September MAFBNZ Director Post Border Peter Thomson confirmed that there is currently no evidence of Equine Influenza in New Zealand, however, all horse owners are asked to remain vigilant for signs of the disease.