Horse-related businesses and organisations are encouraged to complete a survey to help assist in the development of a national horse traceability register.
While dogs and cats are required to be registered, and other livestock tracked through the National Livestock Identification System, there is currently no accurate way of tracing the number of horses in the country, who they belong to, or where they are kept.
Unlike sheep, cattle, and goats, horses change hands far more frequently and are often moved to different locations based on competition or training.
The lack of data was flagged in a Senate Inquiry in 2019, which handed down a series of recommendations into establishing a register.
A working group was then formed to provide advice to government on how a traceability system could be implemented and maintained.
In January, a report commissioned by the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions and undertaken by Marsden Jacobs, focused on the potential role a traceability register could play when it came to managing biosecurity.
It found an incremental approach that built on existing records was the preferred method.
The survey will be used by the working group to better understand the information being collected and maintained by organisations and businesses.
Feedback will be used to determine the best way to use and build on existing databases and registers.
To access the survey, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/…/Horse_Traceability…
The survey is voluntary and any personal information you provide will be kept confidential.
The survey will close at 5pm on Monday 7 February 2022.
