Horse traceability

What is happening with horse traceability?

In October 2022, national agreement was reached via the National Horse Traceability Working Group (Working Group) on a recommended National Horse Traceability System (NHTS).

Agriculture Ministers issued a communique on 7 December 2022 which included their consideration of the Working Group’s report. Agriculture Ministers endorsed the Working Group’s recommended approach to development of a horse traceability system.

The Agriculture Senior Officials’ Committee comprising heads of government agencies responsible for primary industries policy agreed in April 2023 that a National Horse Traceability Implementation Taskforce (Taskforce), led by industry with Secretariat support provided by Agriculture Victoria, be formed to oversee the implementation and operation of the traceability system on behalf of the jurisdictions.

National Horse Traceability Implementation Taskforce

Agriculture Victoria is pleased to announce Victorian biosecurity specialist and former Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Ron Glanville will lead the National Horse Traceability Implementation Taskforce as its new Chair.

The newly established Taskforce will focus on implementing a national horse traceability system, continuing the work of the National Horse Traceability Working Group which provided final recommendations to Australia’s Agriculture Ministers in 2022.

The proposed National Horse Traceability System (NHTS) will assist in responding to future biosecurity incidents and natural disasters involving horses, donkey and mules.

Endorsed as Chair by the National Biosecurity Committee, Dr Glanville will lead the Taskforce which includes a diverse committee of 17 members who have an interest or expertise in animal health, biosecurity or traceability.

Dr Glanville has extensive experience in responding to biosecurity incidents, including the 2007 equine influenza outbreak.

The National Horse Traceability Implementation Taskforce is being supported by Agriculture Victoria as it’s Secretariat. The first meeting of the Taskforce will take place later this month.

To progress the development of the NHTS, Marsden Jacobs and Associates (MJA) has been engaged by Agriculture Victoria to undertake two projects to:

• Investigate the feasibility and benefits of improving data collection by commercial and industry horse databases/registries, and
• Consider possible mechanisms for generating the funding needed to implement and maintain Australia’s preferred National Horse Traceability System (NHTS), known as Option 2.

These projects are being undertaken guided by recommendations in the December 2022 report on horse traceability prepared by the National Horse Traceability Working Group.  The Working Group’s report was considered and endorsed by agriculture ministers in early 2023.

Further updates will be provided as work progresses.

Taskforce members

Members of the taskforce bring to the table a wide range of organisational and community connections.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) of provides secretariat support to the taskforce. The taskforce is chaired by Dr Ron Glanville.

The following organisations are represented on the Taskforce:

• Animal Health Australia
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• Harness Racing Australia
• Racing Australia
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Australian Horse Industry Council
• Equestrian Australia
• Each state and territory government

Further information on the NHTIT is available via the Terms of reference. (WORD - 91.3 KB)

The National Horse Traceability Working Group

The National Horse Traceability Working Group (Working Group) is a non-statutory committee constituted by the Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting and the Australasian Racing Ministers’ Conference to provide advice on matters relating to the design and introduction of a traceability system for horses, donkeys and mules in Australia.

The Working Group met regularly as required to provide recommendations for the implementation of a national horse traceability system to Agriculture Ministers.

Final Report to Agriculture Ministers Meeting (AMM)

The Working Group finalised its report and recommendations after considering the diverse range of purposes for which horses are kept in Australia, current biosecurity threats and the cost of various NHTS design options.

The report was tabled at the AMM meeting on 7 December 2022.

Download the final report

The National Horse Traceability Working Group report to AMM (PDF - 8.0 MB)

The National Horse Traceability Working Group report to AMM (WORD - 1.1 MB)

The National Horse Traceability Working Group flyer (PDF - 597.9 KB)

The National Horse Traceability Working Group flyer (WORD - 36.5 KB)

Frequently asked questions

The National Horse Traceability Working Group has developed a list of commonly asked questions and answers specific to horse traceability in the context of a National Horse Traceability System.

More information

For further information please email: horse.traceability@agriculture.vic.gov.au