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MEDIA RELEASE
ATROC HAILS A BIG WIN FOR OWNERS
The Australian Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Council is very pleased that the Rudd Government has decided not to pass on to the industry the $108M cost of eradicating Equine Influenza as had been mooted earlier in the year, ATROC Chairman Harvey Crossman, said today.
“Owners suffered extreme hardship during the outbreak and it would have been unfair and unreasonable for them to be financially penalized again for something that resulted from a situation over which they had no input or control.” – Harvey Crossman
Harvey Crossman said that he was greatly heartened by the willingness of the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, The Hon Tony Burke to give the industry a fair hearing and to recognize its important economic and social contribution.
“ATROC gives a sincere vote of thanks to Minister Tony Burke, who has been prepared to listen to the industry’s stakeholders and take our views on board. His public announcement acknowledges that industry consultation was an important part of this decision.”
ATROC commends the Australian Racing Board and in particular it’s Chairman, Bob Pearson, and Chief Executive Andrew Harding, for the all encompassing manner in which they handled the EI issue for all industry stakeholders, probably made more difficult by the fact there was a change of Government halfway through the crisis.
“EI is without doubt the greatest catastrophe Australian Racing has faced in almost 200 years. I think we have been very fortunate as an industry to have had such strong and intelligent national leadership from the Australian Racing Board throughout this crisis.” - Harvey Crossman
ENDS.
For further details please contact:
Harvey Crossman
Phone: 0412 985 189
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