Border Security. When it works life is a breeze. When it fails, it hits hard. The question needs to be asked sometimes, when is there too much border security.
One of the problems with border security is the number of players. While the Australian Quarantine Service has the job of ensuring things don’t get through, their role is determined by governments who in turn are often advised by vested interests – interests that don’t always represent the majority of that particular industry.
The current horse flu problem in Australia is good example. Could this problem have been prevented. Probably. But then again, if those in the industry had had access to vaccines over the years then perhaps this problem would not have occurred. If horses had been exposed to the virus then of course we would not have had this problem. After all, equine flu is a bit like human flu, really only affects the young and the old. So too with equine flu.
Sometimes, letting the virus in is better in the long run for the animals than keeping it out. If you think about it, if mares have the flu, they build some resistance which is then carried down to their offspring. Over a period of time the effects of the flu virus are gradually reduced.
Maybe I am wrong, but then again…..
