The British Horseracing Authority today announces the updated position that applies within Racing as a result of the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. This follows ongoing assessment of the effects of last week’s outbreak, carried out with Defra, the Animal Health Trust and key Racing stakeholders.

The precautionary measures – preventing runners from within a Defra-defined Surveillance as well as Protection Zone – will continue for races on Sunday. These measures go beyond those required by Defra but are felt to be proportionate.

The intention is that the current restrictions will be lifted for races on Monday 13th August. Trainers within a Surveillance Zone will be able to have runners, provided they have carried out necessary biosecurity measures when transporting them. The Authority has been in constant contact with trainers who may fall into this category and is in a position to react swiftly should there be any extension of the Zone. There will be no change to the restriction on trainers should they lie within a Protection Zone.

Although horses cannot be infected by Foot and Mouth Disease, Racing involves the movement of people, horses and vehicles. The virus that causes Foot and Mouth Disease is spread in material from infected animals or premises. There is no more risk in the movement of people or vehicles associated with Racing than with other everyday movements.

The certification requirements recently put in place by the European Union, France Galop and the Direktorium in Germany for horses travelling to and from Great Britain continue to apply. The Authority has produced a guide to these which may be found on stage.britishhorseracing.com and www.racingadmin.co.uk.

For further information please call British Horseracing Authority Communications Manager Will Lambe on 07816 914409.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Detailed information on the outbreak, including the current Protection and Surveillance Zone, can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/.