New South Wales (NSW) police are warning horse owners that any breaches of the movement ban on horses “will not be tolerated and will be dealt with the full force of the law,” noted a Sept. 7 government press release. There is no indication when the stop-movement order might be lifted.

Horses, ponies, and donkeys cannot be moved anywhere in New South Wales, and restrictions are in place for horse trailers and trucks, which can spread the disease via infected material.

Government officials said there have been more than 200 incidents of illegal horse or trailer movement reported or identified that are being investigated by police and the Department of Primary Industries. Police have the authority to stop and search motor vehicles containing horses, donkeys, and mules. Under these powers police can direct people to return to their property of origin and keep their animals there in compliance with control orders until movement restrictions are lifted.

 has reminded all horse owners that the ban on horse movements remains in force