Thank you Tasmania Racing We will get through this All racing in Tassy Closed for 4 weeks .. EXTERNAL LINK 2 April 2020 Jane Howlett, Minister for Racing Racing to cease in Tasmania These are difficult times for all Tasmanians, and today our Government made the tough decision to cease all racing in the State from this point forward. I can assure you, this decision was not taken lightly as Tasmanias racing industry supports thousands of jobs in rural and regional communities, injecting around $103 million a year into the States economy. I acknowledge this will come as a heavy blow to the 5,000 participants across the three racing codes, many of whom are reliant on the industry for their primary incomes. However, the health and safety of all Tasmanians must come first, and the public health advice I have received indicates todays decision is a necessary one. The Premier and I have spoken with Tasracing about this decision and a support package will be announced in the coming days that will assist industry participants and maintain the welfare of our racing animals. Many industry participants will also be eligible for the assistance packages for businesses and individuals already announced by the Tasmanian and Australian Governments over recent weeks. Although race meets will be cancelled for at least the next four weeks, it is vital that the welfare of racing animals is maintained. Thats why those industry participants who are essential in ensuring that welfare will be able to continue their important work. This includes veterinarians, farriers and those who feed the racing animals and keep them fit and healthy. Details on the specific support that Tasracing will receive will be announced in the coming days. Tasracing will work closely with the Minister for Racing on the detail of a support package for the Tasmanian racing industry following todays announcement that it will cease for the next four weeks. CEO Paul Eriksson said these details would be announced as soon as they were finalised. Many industry participants will be eligible for assistance measures already announced by the Tasmanian Government and the Commonwealth over recent weeks, both to businesses and individuals, he said. Mr Eriksson said he noted the Premier comments that the public health advice about the industry continuing to operate was clear, and while disappointed, the government had little choice but to follow that advice. Animal welfare will be a key issue for the industry to manage during this shutdown period, he said. These racing animals are high-performance athletes and their care, exercising and maintenance is a 24 hour, 7 days a week task. Stopping racing does not stop this need lower exercise regimes which this shut down will enforce could contribute to other issues upon our return. It should be remembered that the cessation of racing is not just for the currently identified four week period it will also include an extra four to 12 weeks to get the animal back into racing condition. While race and trial meetings will be cancelled for at least the next four weeks, those industry participants who are essential for the welfare of racing animals will be able to continue their important work.
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