Are you a horse owner, farrier, dentist, coach, agistment owner, vet, club representative, produce owner, saddlery owner, transporter, physio, chiro, masseur, breeder, trainer, jockey, stable hand, concerned relative/friend, animal supporter or any other equine industry contributor? Is this you?

Sign up to be a member of the CHAMPS (Concerned Horse-owners, Association Members & Professional Sectors) and hereby acknowledge your support of our group. Visit our information website www.champsgroup.org

In doing so, you:

Support the Terms of Reference (see below) of the Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry with the requested outcomes including but not limited to :

1.The public would like the AEC (Agriculture & Environment Committee) Parliamentary Inquiry to recommend the recall of the current Hendra vaccine -to review the safety and efficacy.  EDITED TO NOTE - this does not mean recommendation to ban the vaccine as some have interpreted.  It means have it reviewed by independent scientists and an improvement made on its formula with improved monitoring of it's safety and efficacy.  There is a need for a vaccine, but it needs to be a safe vaccine that owners are comfortable giving to their precious animals.

Given that this is a “Novel” vaccine –the first of its kind and the first ever developed in Australia.

Taking into consideration that that the parameters of the “normal” vaccine safety and efficacy protocols may not be applicable to this new Novel vaccine.

Specifically the significantly short length of time that was involved in the laboratory testing regime for this Hendra vaccine (18 months against the usual time of 5 to 10 years to produce a product) .

Also taking into consideration the excessive number of adverse reactions reported significantly exceeds the “expected/accepted" number.

Given the list of nearly 100 different types of adverse reactions that are listed on the APVMA website far exceed the 10 “expected” adverse reactions listed on the Hendra vaccine permit.

Given that the APVMA concedes that only a very small proportion of the actual number of adverse reactions are reported –this number may be as low as 10% of the total number of actual adverse reactions to the Hendra vaccine.

Given that the horses in the State of Queensland are being significantly and severely impacted by this excessive number of adverse reactions.

2.The public would look to the AEC Parliamentary Inquiry to make recommendations that result in action being taken in regards to the unreasonable mandatory use of the Hendra vaccine by veterinarians in their No Vaccination/No treat policy and their “mandatory vaccination as a condition of entry” which is damaging the Equestrian Industry and the associated economy.

This action should take into account, that not all horses are suitable for mandatory vaccination or indeed need any vaccination given the circumstances of the Biosecurity protocols and stable management of the majority of performance horses. Also taking into account -public awareness of Hendra virus; the real risk of contracting Hendra virus is minimal and the management of private/commercial property biosecurity protocols that are being actioned.

This is a Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry, but an Australia wide problem as some veterinarians are supporting a National Hendra vaccination policy .
If your horse has suffered an adverse reaction to the Hendra Vaccine and it has affected you in any way- please give written evidence in the relevant Term of Reference.

 

PARLIAMENTARY ENQUIRY TERMS OF REFERENCE:

That the Agriculture and Environment Committee inquire into the Hendra virus (HeV) EquiVacc vaccine and its use by veterinary surgeons in Queensland, including the potential efficiency and effectiveness of options to mitigate the risk of infection with HeV and its consequences.

 In undertaking this inquiry, the Committee should consider:

1.            the development, trials and approval processes: the incidence and impact of adverse reactions by horses following vaccination and the reporting of adverse reactions and economic impacts of the HeV EquiVacc vaccine;

2.            who bears the risks of HeV infection and who incurs the costs and receives the benefits from each risk mitigation option;

3.            Whether the guidelines/procedures required for veterinarians attending horses that are not vaccinated against HeV are proportionate to the consequences;

4.            Impacts on the equine industry and the economy arising from veterinarians applying a policy not to treat unvaccinated horses;

5.            the impact of Workplace Health and Safety actions on the decision by veterinarians not to attend unvaccinated horses and results of previous Workplace Health and Safety HeV investigations where there have been human infections, and

6.            That the committee invite public submissions, consult with the community and key stakeholders, including the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and report to the Legislative Assembly by 22 August 2016.

Contact details for Parliamentary Enquiry:

 

Parliament House

George Street

BRISBANE  QLD  4000

Phone:  07 3553 6662

Fax:  07 3553 6699

Email:  aec@parliament.qld.gov.au