By Bren O'Brien
The Queensland State Government has promised to act quickly of the 55 equine welfare recommendations made by retired District Court judge Terry Martin, after the conclusion of his independent inquiry into allegations of animal cruelty and the management of retired thoroughbreds.
Judge Martin conducted his inquiry with the assistance of equine veterinary surgeon and Australian Veterinary Association representative Dr Peter Reid and the findings were made public this week, with the Queensland Government promising to enact changes to three key pieces of legislation in order to facilitate the required changes.
Among the key recommendations is a legal requirement for racehorse owners to make multiple attempts to rehome retired racehorses, with Racing Queensland and Queensland's Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) to establish and run a rehoming scheme to ensure horses find a new life after racing retirement.
"It will require owners to make two genuine attempts to rehome the animal, before they can consider euthanasia," QRIC boss Ross Barnett said.
"After making two attempts, if they're unsuccessful, they will then have to put the horse up to the rehoming scheme.
"After making two attempts, if they're unsuccessful, they will then have to put the horse up to the rehoming scheme. " - Ross Barnett
"Only if that animal can't be accepted into the program will they then be able to give consideration to either having the animal humanely euthanised on farm, or send it to an abattoir."
The rehoming scheme will be funded by a levy on prizemoney, expected to raise about $1.5 million a year.
Another recommendation is that QRIC establishes a breeder licensing process, with standards implemented to require applicants to show competency and knowledge. Those who fall short of those standards will be excluded from holding a licence to breed both thoroughbred and standardbreds.
Doomben mounting yard
The State Government will support amendments to the Racing Integrity Act 2016, to ensure this occurs.
The report also recommends Racing Queensland advocates for Racing Australia to introduce a welfare levy to foal birth notification and stallion return fees as well as raft of other changes on a national level.
"The size of this levy should be sufficient to act as a deterrent to indiscriminate and poor quality breeding and make a meaningful contribution to the pool of funds available to support the rehoming programs being run by the control bodies in each state," the report said.
Other key legal changes to be implemented include:
- Making the use of electric prodders on horses an act of cruelty;
- Allowing biosecurity officers to make unannounced visits to abattoirs and knackeries;
- Forcing abattoirs and knackeries to record and provide the Government with microchip, branding and vendor details of ex-racehorses killed at their facilities;
The required changes fall under the responsibility of two ministers, Mark Furner, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, and Stirling Hinchliffe, Minister for Racing.
It is the first significant move by a state government to legislate on equine welfare issues since a report on the ABC's 7:30 program last October highlighted several major areas of concern over the welfare of retired racehorses.
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA), the Australian Trainers' Association (ATA) and the Australian Jockeys' Association (AJA) along with other stakeholders recently announced the establishment of an Independent Working Group (IWG).
It will review the current welfare landscape in the Australian thoroughbred industry, look to world’s best practice, consult with participants in the industry, and draw upon the learnings from other animal industries.
