Racing minister Martin Pakula’s stark warning for industry amid animal welfare, integrity issues
The racing industry has been warned to confront its animal welfare and integrity issues — or risk seeing the sport die out among the next generation of fans.
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Victorian minister for racing Martin Pakula has urged the sport to quickly find lasting solutions for animal welfare and integrity issues or run the risk of failing to attract future generations to the track.
Referencing the growing focus on animal cruelty and the damage done by high-profile integrity cases, Mr Pakula said racing needed to act decisively.
“I don’t want to be part of the last generation of racing tragics,” he said,
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“I want to see the support of younger fans and punters and if racing doesn’t get on top of key issues including welfare there is no prospect of a next generation of members, fans, punters and participants.
“I’m someone who’s been going to the races for 40 years, had a share in a horse and worked at a racetrack, I’m atypical.
“It’s uncommon for cabinets to be occupied by racing tragics and with that in mind, racing needs to be very aware of what motivates governments both positively and negatively.
“Governments, for example, do not want to be seen to support any industry embroiled in scandal. On the other hand, governments will respond where aware of positive things including jobs creation, contribution to tourism, civic pride and economic stimulus.”
Speaking at the Asian Racing Conference in Cape Town, Mr Pakula said: “There are a huge number of challenges in the racing industry which tends to find and create challenges.
“Integrity and welfare and illegal betting have been talked about this week and government has a role in setting the framework for wagering licences, race field legislation and taxation.
“These are important parts of the discussion between racing and government.”
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While not on the Cape Town agenda, one of the equine welfare issues raised privately is the debate over whether the whip should be banned from racing apart from use as a safety tool.
The issue arose after some delegates were shocked by vision of barbaric treatment of thoroughbreds in Australian abattoirs as racing grapples with public perception it is a cruel pursuit.
There is also the separate issue of illegal gambling and the growing popularity of rogue operators including Asian betting exchange Citibet and how it is draining money from Australian racing and other jurisdictions.
Confronting vision of horses being barbarically treated before their deaths at interstate abattoirs was shown at the Asian Racing Conference, shocking some delegates.
Racing Victoria last year committed $25 million to equine welfare in the wake of the devastating revelations.
The bolstered program includes
An extended re-homing network which takes advantage of existing infrastructure to support retired thoroughbreds transitioning into second careers or forever homes;
An expanded Off TheTrack program to create more career opportunities for thoroughbreds who have retired from racing;
A new foster program to provide short to medium term support for thoroughbreds in need;
A new database to register retiring Victorian thoroughbreds to (at least) their first post-racing home and for as long as they remain part of the expanded OTT program; independent audits of the status of all thoroughbreds and broodmares; and analysis of data on livestock sales;
A dedicated in-house taskforce focused on delivering programs that improve welfare outcomes for Victorian thoroughbreds;
A new humane ‘on farm’ euthanasia program administered by registered veterinarians for thoroughbreds where this is considered the most appropriate outcome;
Support for a national responsible breeding campaign led by Racing Australia to reduce the number of thoroughbreds that end up with no options.
The Victoria Racing Club will also contribute more than $1 million to kick-start an equine welfare fund on behalf of the club.
Jamie Stier, RV’s executive general manager of integrity services, said the long-term welfare of every horse needs to be ensured.
“A line in the sand had been drawn and it (equine welfare) has had a severe effect on our industry.”
Stier focused on four key issues - community expectations, racing’s moral obligation, high-profile equine cruelty cases and racing’s responsibilities.
He said: “Community expectations should be met by our own personal undertaking to provide the highest appropriate level of care for every thoroughbred horse throughout each of the three phases of its life.”