The Chairman, Equestrian Queensland 25 July 2014 Dear Peter Toft, I write on behalf of the Equestrian Australia (EA) national board in response to the notice of disagreement lodged by Equestrian Queensland on 12 July 2014 regarding the EA Hendra Vaccination By-Law released on 1 July 2014. On receipt of your notice I proposed that representatives of the national board and the board of Equestrian Queensland meet to discuss the matters of concern. I believe that the meeting that was held last week in Brisbane was productive in identifying the issues that separate our respe ctive positions. However, the national board of Equestrian Australia continues to believe it does have the responsibility and indeed the obligation to adopt policies and by-laws that are reasonably necessary to protect our members. The real and unacceptable risk of Hendra outbreaks at EA sanctioned events requires action. The Hendra Vaccination By-law is a measured and appropriate response to that risk. The By-law should complement the broader bio-security policies that Equestrian Queensland has been very effective in developing. You have indicated that Equestrian Queensland does not support Equestrian Australia mandating vaccinations for events which pose unacceptable levels of risk. Clearly the positions of the two organizations are in conflict. However, the national board wishes to advise it does not believe the EA Hendra Vaccination By-Law breaches its Memorandum Of Understanding with Equestrian Queensland. In enacting this By-Law the national board has acted reasonably, in good faith and in the best interest of Equestrian Sport. Under the EA constitution, state branches are permitted to repeal or amend any by-laws made by the board. Equestrian Queensland is advised to exercise its constitutional right to overturn the by-law by following the process outlined in the EA constitution. Given the level of confusion within the equestrian community to how the By-Law will be implemented in Queensland, a copy of this letter will be made public. Please be advised that the EA Hendra Vaccination By-Law will apply to all EA organising committees and events in Queensland from 1st October. The national board is very concerned to ensure that organizing committees understand that any events that do not adhere to this By-Law will not be sanctioned by EA. As discussed previously, the By-Law and Equestrian Competition Hendra Biosecurity checklist will be reviewed in three months and I encourage Equestrian Queensland to participate in this process. Yours faithfully, Dr Warwick Vale, Chairman, Equestrian Australia
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 08:41:02 +0000
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