Equine Guelph–a not for profit organization serving the horse and its industry through education, research, healthcare promotion and industry development–has announced the dates of its first "Beat the Buts" biosecurity e-session.

"The recent devastating outbreak of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in North America has highlighted the importance of infection control and biosecurity, as well as the deficiencies in knowledge and application that are present across the industry," says Scott Weese DVM, DVSc, Dipl. ACVIM, an associate professor in the Department of Pathobiology and Canada Research Chair at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College. Proof-positive that the time for prevention has now arrived is the January 2012 biosecurity update from Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs confirming EHV-1 in Southern Ontario.

Equine Guelph’s "Beat the Bugs with Biosecurity," program promotes biosecurity throughout all sectors of the horse industry. The program is funded through the Agricultural Biosecurity Program ABP, part of the Best Practices Suite of programs under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Agricultural Adaptation Council assists in the delivery of several Growing Forward programs in Ontario.

"Increasing knowledge of best biosecurity practices stands to benefit the horse industry by reducing the risk of disease transmission and, in turn, could create a huge positive economic impact and prevent a potential catastrophic outbreak," says Equine Guelph director Gayle Ecker