NZERF makes submission to the Racing Bill

During 2001 submissions on the draft Racing Bill were called for following widespread consultations within the NZ Horse Racing Industry. This draft Racing bill was considered at a NZERF Board meeting and some disquiet was expressed that within the draft there was no mention of education, and research was only referred to on one occasion.

The NZERF Board was of the opinion that the new Racing Board had a responsibility to ensure that there were educational opportunities and pathways for young people in the industry. They also believed that the new Racing Board had a fundamental obligation to try and minimize performance-inhibiting diseases and painful racing related conditions and that it must be seen to be vigorously supporting research which would produce the knowledge required to reduce or eliminate these problems.

For these reasons the NZERF Board made a submission to the Select Committee of Parliament seeking a change to the Functions of the NZ Racing Board. They recommended that the wording of the draft Racing Bill be changed so that a clear direction is given to the new Board regarding its responsibilities in research and education.