Cleared of blame for equine flu

IRELAND was not to blame for the equine flu outbreak which devastated the racing industry in Australia last year and cost an estimated $1 billion, an inquiry has revealed.

The inquiry, conducted by a retired High Court judge, Ian Callinan, concluded that a number of Japanese horses flown into Australia had the virus.

Fifteen top stallions from Ireland, which were sent to Australia for the start of the breeding season, were caught up in a prolonged “lock down” in their quarantine stations.

Responding to the findings of the inquiry, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith, said it effectively clears Ireland as being the source of the virus.