Why is this an agricultural issue and topic?

Surely it is all about racing and the TAB.

So it should be reported in sport and leisure and the costs paid for accordingly.

This is not about feeding or clothing the people of a nation or the world.

Why are agricultural people treated like cheap prostitutes to help out the rich?

I am an Australian who ran a small business in the equine industry.

This business was my primary source of income.

Because of my investments into the business and previous commitments to creditors etc. this horse flu has left me in financial ruin. I now struggle to survive each day.

The money the NSW goverment gave me was just under 1/10 of my earnings lost, meaning my financial commitment to my business ate it immediately and left me in the red and with no way to meet living expenses.

I lost my house, assetts, and am now uprooted living basically out of my car.

I have been to ask for help and contacted many governmental branches, and given no relief - everyday is agony.

For those of us not in the racing industry who relied on horses for our business we have been left with nothing.

I am now in almost over 100,000 dollars of debt and don't even know where my next meal is coming from.

Feels to me like the Depression. Kevin how could you forget those of us who contributed to Australia's economy so long, who went through the blood sweat and tears of new enterprise and this is the thanks we get.

I am now having to live out of my car, thanks AQIS and the Australian government.

All the support numbers for EI are closed and no-one offers even a basic assistance group for people in my situation.

I have been reported to the ccra and have to come up with money I do not have.

It's a far cry from where I thought I would be before this disaster.

For me even a small amount of compensation would do.

some of us are not after millions, we just want to survive, for some of us it feels like the third world.

I love Australia, the country I grew up knowing would not let this happen.

I live in terror with no escape, what do we have to do to ake you realise how we are living!?

All this massive Govt expenditure, with the restrictions impacting on all equine industries, right through to destruction of individuals livliehood, to maintain artificial barriers created mainly to protect a small clique of thoroughbred owners. All this to protect us from a disease that most resembles the common cold and occurs in all but two other countries. What a success story. Quarantine regulations and their application require urgent revision.