RLPB plays major role in EI response

Pictured (from front to back) are: LDCC Veterinary Investigations Manager Jim McDonald (normally the RLPB District Vet in Yass); Veterinary Investigations, Clearance, John McFarlane (formerly District Vet in Armidale); RAMS Permits Officer Phil McGrath (normally a Ranger in Braidwood); RAMS Permits Officer Ross Trudgett (normally a Ranger in Molong); VI Clearance Officer Harold Officer (normally a Ranger in Walcha); RAMS Permits Officer Bruce Floyd (normally a Ranger in Armidale); RAMS Permits Officer Rhett Robinson (normally a Dubbo Ranger); RAMS Permits Officer Sally Osborne (normally a Riverina Ranger) and Surveillance Coordinator Ian Poe (normally the District Vet in Kempsey).

Rural Lands Protection Boards are continuing to play a major role in the NSW Government’s response to Equine Influenza, with a considerable contingent working at the Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC) in Camden at any given time.

Since the outbreak began, groups of Rangers, Vets and other RLPB staff from across NSW have been working hard coordinating the response to EI from the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute.

They have been working in a range of roles including issuing horse movement permits, veterinary investigations, zone progression, property clearance and surveillance – together with staff from the Department of Primary Industries, private vets, NSW Police, staff recruited especially for the EI effort and other NSW Government agencies.

Veterinary Investigations Manager Jim McDonald said RLPB staff, both at LDCC and in the field, had played a major role in the EI response since it began – and would continue to do so until it was totally eradicated from NSW.

"I am extremely proud of the work carried out by Board staff and am humbled by their commitment and enthusiasm in coordinating the control and eradication of Equine Influenza in NSW. We have now come a long way and are making good progress every day – and a big part of that has been due to the RLPB contribution," he said.

"This commitment has often meant long stints away from their families and homes. They, like others working on the EI response should be commended for their work," he said.

DPI LDCC Controller John Williams said the RLPB were invaluable and essential to the the response.

"Without the assistance of organisations like the Boards, we would never have reached this point, where EI has begun to decline significantly in NSW," Mr Williams said.