The apparition of the equine influenza outbreak crippled horse activities in Australia. It sent many horse-based small businesses to the wall and has been raised again this week.

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia Chief Executive Officer Peter McGauran shared that Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke had given agreement to allow selective EI vaccination for Australia's racehorses, as industry experts advised to do the same.

Experts including vets, breeders and recreational horse bodies opine that vaccination could cover the problem and cause the disease to become widespread in Australia.

The thoroughbred industry was provided support by the Government and by Mr. McGauran, the then Minister for Primary Industries, during the August 2007 EI outbreak.

Mr. McGauran resigned from Parliament to take up an appointment as Chief Executive Officer with the Thoroughbred Breeders Association, a few months after the Howard Government lost the federal election.

Though, the other major sectors vehemently opposed the move. Harness Racing Australia Chief executive Andrew Kelly said, "Allowing for voluntary vaccination against EI is an admission of failure that the equine industry and Government authorities have been unable to contain and remove EI from Australia".