Issue Two: FMD Instructions and Guidelines for the Racing Industry Issued By The Jockey Club and The British Horseracing Board in Conjunction with MAFF (Revised April 2001)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.Introduction and Raceday Disinfection Procedures Summary.

2.Background Information and General Advice.

3.Responsibilities of Racecourse Managing Executives.

4.Responsibilities of Trainers (Licensed, Permitted and those having care of Hunter Chasers).

5.Responsibilities of Jockeys, Jockeys’ Valets and BHB/Jockey Club Officials.

6.Responsibilities of Racehorse Transporters and Technical Services Providers.

7.Guidance for the Race-going Public (including local contractors and bookmakers).

Annexes:

A)Disinfectant, pad and vehicle spray system suppliers
B)Trainers’ Certificate of Compliance.

SECTION ONE

1.1INTRODUCTION

This document has been produced and revised by the Jockey Club and British Horseracing Board in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) and after consultation with other horseracing and veterinary organisations.

The purpose of the Instructions and Guidelines in this document is to prevent any possible spread of Foot and Mouth Disease by any person, horse or vehicle entering or leaving a racecourse at a race meeting.

The document (Sections 3 – 5) has been authorised and published by the Jockey Club as an Instruction to all licensed individuals/entities under Rule 1A (xiii) of the Rules of Racing. Any non-compliance with this Instruction may constitute a breach of Rule 221B (i) of the Rules of Racing and may result in disciplinary action being taken.

The document (Sections 6 and 7) also includes guidance notes to non-licensed individuals (e.g. members of the race-going public).

1.2 RACEDAY DISINFECTION PROCEDURES SUMMARY

The pictorial summary on page four reflects the more detailed Instructions included in sections three to five as well as the guidance to non-licensed personnel and the race-going public specified in sections six and seven.

1.3 OVERNIGHT STABLING

Trainers should note that the provision for stabling runners at a racecourse the night before racing remains suspended in general terms. This is because the carrying out of the full disinfection procedures at racecourses could not otherwise be guaranteed.

However, racecourses can seek dispensation from this Instruction in the following circumstances:

 The racecourse is staging a two (or more) day meeting and the next day’s runners – in agreement with the racecourse – arrive during the racing hours of the first (or subsequent) day’s racing; or

 In any instance where the racecourse is heavily dependant on runners travelling long distances and is able to confirm categorically that all its disinfection procedures and personnel will be in attendance for an agreed timescale on the day before racing.

In such circumstances, the racecourse must contact the Jockey Club Chief Veterinary Adviser (Peter Webbon) or its Racecourse Department Manager (Fraser Garrity) as soon as possible in the lead up to the meeting, but preferably on the day entries close, so that the presence of Jockey Club Veterinary Officers (VO) can be arranged.

On receiving confirmation that a member of the Veterinary Department can be provided it is then recommended that the Racecourse informs trainers of their arrangements before the declaration stage of its meeting

All racecourses may still provide overnight stabling at the end of a day’s racing on the basis that all horseboxes leave via the appropriate wheel disinfection system the following day.

SECTION TWO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND GENERAL ADVICE

2.1 THE DISEASE

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is caused by a highly infectious virus which can infect cattle, sheep, goats and all ruminating animals and pigs (farm animals). It does not infect horses, people or dogs. The disease is usually spread by:-

a) direct contact between animals of susceptible species;
b) susceptible animals occupying buildings or transporters previously occupied by diseased animals;
c) close contact between stock men, healthy and diseased animals;
d) wind borne infection between animals of susceptible species.

There is a small risk that material from an infected animal could be carried on the feet or clothing of people, or on horses or vehicles and people from areas containing infected animals to previously “clean” areas.

2.2 RESTRICTIONS WHICH MAY APPLY AS A RESULT OF FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

The following is a summary of the restrictions that may impact upon the equine industry if an Infected Area is declared.

a. Horses and farm animals

Because horses are not susceptible to Foot and Mouth disease, they are not covered by the Foot and Mouth Order. This means that there is no automatic legal restriction on their movement in an Infected Area, except on or off an infected farm, and they are not included in the nationwide ban on the movement of farm animals. Trainers, however, should note that there are certain restrictions on horses in training within 1km of an infected site and these are detailed in Section Four (4.3). Everyone involved in training and racing horses must take all reasonable precautions to ensure that they do not inadvertently contribute to the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease amongst farm animals.

b. Infected Areas

When an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is confirmed, the Ministry declares an area around the infected premises to be an “”Infected Area””. The Infected Area extends for a distance of not less than 10km radius around the Infected Place but its size may be greater if information from epidemiologists (veterinarians and scientists who study the spread of a disease) suggests that prevailing weather conditions may have caused a “virus plume” to disseminate the disease further.

The Infected Area is defined by reference to topographical and other easily identifiable physical features which can be found on the 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps of Great Britain. Movements of farm animals in this area are kept to a minimum and certain other restrictions are enforced. The Infected Area is imposed by a Special Order made under the provisions of the foot-and-mouth legislation.

Infected Areas currently imposed can be found on the MAFF web site at www.maff.gov.uk

c. Controlled Areas

A Controlled Area is of much greater extent than an Infected Area and is imposed when there is good reason to believe that there has been or is likely to be widespread dissemination of the disease. Usually this occurs when potentially infected animals have been widely distributed through markets and dealers etc. Its main purpose is to enable veterinary staff to trace these animals, inspect them, require their isolation and impose restrictions on the premises of destination before they move further.

Within a Controlled Area the movement of farm animals is controlled by licence and stock markets are normally closed. A Controlled Area is normally in force for a short period but it may encompass a very wide area in order to reduce farm animal movement when the country is experiencing a major epidemic of FMD.

2.3 GENERAL ADVICE FOR PEOPLE LEAVING AN INFECTED AREA

Persons resident on a farm, or any premises holding farm animals, in an Infected Area should avoid coming into contact with any other farm animals and should refrain from going into fields or premises where such stock may be driven later.

Before leaving the Infected Area they should:-

a) disinfect all footwear used;
b) wear clothes which have had no possible contact with farm stock – if there is any doubt the clothes should be washed;
c) wash with plenty of hot water and soap, not forgetting the hair;
d) disinfect the outside of any item that may have been in contact with other articles in general use on the farm.

People having no contact with farm animals need take no special precautions except to keep away from farm animals and to travel on main roads wherever possible.

2.4 RESTRICTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS ON OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN AN INFECTED AREA

Hunting, including the hunting and stalking of deer, point-to-point racing, the shooting, or attempted shooting at game or other wildlife, and the racing or coursing or the training for any racing or coursing of hounds or other dogs are prohibited within an Infected Area. Although horse racing is not specifically mentioned in the Order, it can be prohibited by a Ministry notice, and in accordance with MAFF’s recommendations, no race meeting will be scheduled if any part of a racecourse is within 3kms of the ordnance survey grid reference of an infected premises. This restriction shall apply for at least 30 days from the date of the outbreak, after which the situation will be reviewed in conjunction with MAFF.

Any other sporting or recreational activity which could cause infection to spread in an Infected Area can be prohibited by MAFF. These powers could be invoked, for example, to prevent the holding of any recreational fixture which involved entry on land used by susceptible animals or in the vicinity of Infected Premises. The land in question must be specified in the notice and each case must be considered on its merits from a disease standpoint. This could include hunter trials, eventing, cross country rides, hacking across farmland.

The following general advice applies to activities in an Infected Area:-

a) visits to all sites, but especially those with farm animals, must be restricted to those that are absolutely essential and then be subject to disinfection routines;
b) persons from rural parts of Infected Areas should not go on to land where there is livestock.

2.5 DISINFECTION AND APPROVED DISINFECTANTS

A dirty surface must be cleaned before it can be satisfactorily disinfected. Dirt, essentially of organic origin, may neutralise the disinfectant and make it useless. It is therefore most important that anything which must be disinfected is first soaked with an approved disinfectant, then thoroughly washed and cleaned and finally washed down with an approved disinfectant.

You must use an APPROVED DISINFECTANT.

A list of those approved for use against foot-and-mouth disease and the dilutions at which they must be used are available on the MAFF website at www.maff.gov.uk or from your Veterinary Surgeon. Since concentrated disinfectants are very often irritant, attendants handling the disinfectant or using sprays will need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, wearing protective clothing as necessary. Details of main suppliers of disinfectant can also be found in Annex A to this document.

SECTION THREE

RESPONSIBILITIES OF RACECOURSE MANAGING EXECUTIVES

There is a very small risk that the mixing of people and vehicles, some of which may have travelled from an Infected Area to a race meeting, could lead to the spread of the Foot and Mouth Disease virus to susceptible farm animals. The principle of managing this risk is to disinfect vehicles, horses’ feet and the feet of members of the public on arrival at the racecourse, and as they leave it. The procedures in the “flow charts” highlighted in 3.1 below and 3.2 (see page 12) must be followed:

3.1 HORSEBOXES, HORSES AND ATTENDANTS

ARRIVAL AT RACECOURSE

(1) Adequate signage plays an important role in assisting the procedures.

(2) Jockey Club Officials will confirm the procedures with driver and warn everyone on board that they must disinfect their feet either in the horse box park or on entering the stable area.

WHEEL DISINFECTION

(3) This can be achieved by either a wheel bath, soaked pads or vehicle spray system (see Annex A for details of suppliers):

 Wheel Bath – this must be a minimum of 3.5m long and 7 ½cm deep and be filled with clean, ministry approved disinfectant;

 Pads – where pads are used they must be on an even, level surface. 4 unrestrained individual wheel pads are not adequate. The pads must be contained in a frame so that any combination of wheel configuration will be disinfected and adequate disinfectant held within the pads. Drivers must be instructed to drive through very slowly (eg 3mph). The pads must be regularly topped up with disinfectant. Many absorbent materials are no substitute for purpose made pads. In particular it has been found that coconut matting is not absorbent enough to be used as part of any wheel disinfection system.

WHEEL SPRAYING

(4) This can be achieved by using personnel with knapsacks, or by a vehicle spray system.

 Knapsack – whilst the horsebox is driving through the tray, or immediately afterwards, a minimum of two racecourse personnel spray wheels and wheel arches with knapsack disinfectant sprays. (These personnel are not required if a vehicle spray system is used (see below)).

 Sprayers are to follow manufacturers’ recommendations for personal protection equipment and wear waterproof suits and mask where applicable.

 Vehicle Spray System – there are a number of approved vehicle spray systems which may be used in place of the wheel bath and wheel spray. Details of these are attached at Annex A.

 If Racecourse Executives wish to use a different type of vehicle spray system full details of its specifications must be sent to Fraser Garrity, Manager of the Racecourse Department, at the Jockey Club before approval for its use can be granted.

ROLE OF JOCKEY CLUB VETERINARY OFFICER

(5) The Jockey Club VO:

 Collects all certificates of compliance (See Annex B). Vehicles without a completed certificate of compliance will not be allowed to unload;

 Inspects the cleanliness of vehicles (wheel arches, rear and underside);

 Directs horseboxes to the unload area and indicates to racecourse staff whether the horsebox is to be power washed.

POWER WASHING OF HORSEBOXES AND DISINFECTION OF DRIVERS/HORSES NOT ENTERING STABLE YARD

HORSEBOXES

 Horseboxes will be power washed if the Veterinary Officer considers that the vehicle exterior is insufficiently clean.

 The power wash need not contain disinfectant, but disinfection will follow power washing. Whether disinfection may be combined with the power wash depends on the equipment and disinfectant used. Racecourse Executive should consult the manufacturers.

 There is no need to clean the inside of the horsebox, but black plastic sacks are to be available for droppings.

 Power washing should concentrate on the wheels, wheel arches, underside and back of the horsebox.

 A notice is to be placed on the windscreen after washing stating “This horsebox has been cleaned and disinfected in accordance with Jockey Club/BHB instructions” with the name of racecourse and date.

 Horse recovery vehicles, horse ambulances, other veterinary and medical vehicles, and Technical Service Providers (e.g. RaceTech, SIS etc) must all be power washed and disinfected before arrival at the racecourse and must also pass through the wheel disinfection procedures highlighted in note (3).

DRIVERS/HORSES

 Horses that will not be stabled in the stable yard can either:

– walk over the pad system at the entrance to the stables and come out again; or
– walk over a pad on the way to the pre-parade ring; or
– have their hooves disinfected by an alternative means, depending on local circumstances and with the agreement of the Inspector of Courses.

 Pedestrian footpads are to be available for the driver if he is not going into the stable yard. Provision must be made for cleaning boots/shoes prior to disinfection.

 Some absorbent materials, such as astroturf, are suitable for pedestrian footpads, but they should be contained in a tray.

 The foot pads/tray should be of sufficient length that both feet can be disinfected whilst taking a normal stride. They should be placed so that pedestrians cannot avoid walking over them.

(7)

 Once horseboxes have unloaded they are to be thoroughly disinfected by spraying from a knapsack. (This may not apply if they have been power washed with disinfectant see note 6 above). This process is designed to complement the initial spraying they receive on arrival (see note 3).

DISINFECTION OF HORSES AND ATTENDANTS WHEN ENTERING STABLE YARD

(8)

 The stable yard entrance disinfectant system must be at least 12ft x 12ft with disinfectant contained in a frame using either pads or coconut matting. If coconut matting is used, it must be covered in at least a one inch “film” of disinfectant. If pads are used care should be taken to ensure that they cannot slide around if a flighty horse becomes skittish whilst crossing them.

 The overall set-up must be on level ground and horses must be lead off a clean surface onto it.

 An attendant or Jockey Club Stables Guard is to direct horses and grooms over the system.

DEPARTURE FROM HORSEBOX PARK

(9)

 Horseboxes and service vehicles are to leave the horsebox park after racing via a suitable method of wheel disinfection. There will be no requirement for any further disinfection.

3.2 CARS AND THEIR PASSENGERS

ARRIVAL AT RACECOURSE

(1) Adequate signage plays an important role in assisting the flow of vehicles and passengers.

(2) All cars must be directed onto the Racecourse car park via an approved method of wheel disinfection.

WHEEL DISINFECTION

(3) This can be achieved by either a wheel bath, soaked pads or a vehicle spray system:

 Wheel bath – must be a minimum of 3.5m long and 7½cm deep;

 Pads – where pads are used they must be on an even level surface. 4 individual wheel pads are not adequate. The pads must be in a ‘contained’ area so that any combination of wheel configuration will be disinfected and adequate disinfectant held within the pads. Drivers must be instructed to drive through very slowly (eg 3mph). The pads must be regularly topped up with disinfectant; many absorbent materials are no substitute for purpose made pads.

 Vehicle spray systems (see Annex A)

DISINFECTION OF PEDESTRIANS’ FEET

(4)

 Pedestrians must enter and exit the racecourse only by official access points at which there are to be disinfectant foot pads or trays with clean MAFF approved disinfectant. (Buckets and brushes for prior cleaning are also to be provided). Under no circumstances may be public be allowed outside the designated public areas.

 Some absorbent materials, such as astroturf, are suitable for pedestrian footpads, but they should be contained in a tray.

 The foot pads/tray should be of sufficient length that both feet can be disinfected whilst taking a normal stride. They are to be placed so that a pedestrian cannot avoid walking over them.

 Attendants with instructions to ensure strict compliance are to be situated at all entrances/exits to the racecourse.

DISINFECTION MEASURES AT “INFIELDS”

 Where there is parking on the infield, pedestrians are to leave the “in field” via disinfectant pads prior to walking across the racing surface. Similarly, where cars are driven off the public road and across the racing surface to an infield car park, they are to pass over an approved method of wheel disinfection before crossing the racing surface.

ARRANGEMENTS AT GRASSED CAR PARKS

(5)

 Racecourses using fields or predominately grassed areas for car parking should carefully review their car disinfection procedures in spells of prolonged wet weather. Specifically, car wheels should be as clean as possible when passing through the appropriate disinfection procedure. The efficiency of the disinfection can otherwise be significantly reduced.

3.3 FARM ANIMALS

Where courses have farm animals, probably sheep, within the racecourse boundary, racing may only go ahead if:-

a) steps are taken to preclude members of the public, horses or vehicles from coming into contact with farm animals or the ground which they graze;
b) no ground to which the public, horses or vehicles have access has been grazed by farm livestock for at least 28 days.

3.4 SIGNAGE

Suitable signage is to be provided by the Managing Executive in relation to 3.1 to 3.4 above. In addition, general information notices about the precautions to avoid the inadvertent spread of Foot and Mouth Disease must be displayed and may be included in the race card. Racecourses will have been provided with standard wording for this by the Racecourse Association.

3.5 NON RACE DAYS

All public access to racecourse premises is to be carefully controlled and where practicable pedestrians and dogs should be discouraged. Where there is any other activity or gathering (golf, conferences etc) on the racecourse taking place within five days of the start of a fixture, all vehicles are to pass through the same method of wheel disinfection as would be in place for all cars on a raceday.

3.6 EQUINE EVENTS

The Jockey Club cannot approve the staging of “equine events” on racecourse property within the 30 days prior to a race meeting for the duration of the foot and mouth outbreak. This is because the participants would not be able to guarantee total compliance with the Foot and Mouth Instructions and Guidelines. Specifically, the Jockey Club has no way of knowing that the participants have met the necessary disinfection criteria (See section 4); Jockey Club staff would not be able to check their premises; there would be no VO in attendance before the event to check horseboxes, and as the participants would not be licensed, it would be impossible for the Jockey Club to enforce its Instructions.

3.7 OVERNIGHT STABLING

Please refer to Section 1.3.

3.8 DISPOSAL OF DUNG AND BEDDING FROM HORSEBOXES

All dung and bedding removed from horseboxes must be placed into plastic sacks. These must either:-

 be taken home with the horsebox, or
 be disposed of by the racecourse by incineration, landfill or spraying with disinfectant and stacking for 28 days.

SECTION FOUR

RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRAINERS (LICENSED, PERMITTED AND THOSE HAVING CARE OF HUNTER CHASERS)

4.1 ALL TRAINERS

All trainers are to:-

a) avoid using any ground occupied by farm animals and not take horses to school or exercise away from their own premises or usual exercise grounds;
b) travel directly to and from race meetings avoiding any premises holding farm animals, using main roads where possible;
c) check that neither the trainer’s yard(s) nor gallops fall within 1km of an infected premises;
d)ensure that:
Either (i) their horses have had no contact with susceptible livestock.
or (ii) that if there are susceptible livestock on the premises, that they have been inspected prior to loading and that no evidence of Foot and Mouth Disease was found.

4.2 MEASURES APPLICABLE TO ALL TRAINERS

HORSES

a) Take all reasonable steps at all times to avoid land where susceptible animals graze;
b) Ensure effective segregation between horses and susceptible farm animals. In particular there should be no sharing of yards, buildings, equipment or personnel;
c) If horses leave the premises, other than for their gallops, their shoes should be picked out, cleaned thoroughly with a stiff brush and water; their belly and legs washed off if dirty and hooves painted with a suitable Ministry approved disinfectant which is safe to come into contact with the skin. Repeat the same process when the horses return;
d) Horses are not to be transported in vehicles which have been used to transport susceptible farm animals.

4.3 VEHICLES

Before leaving the training establishments the following procedures must be followed with regard to horseboxes:-

a) the wheels, wheel arches and underside of the vehicle must be washed to remove all dirt, mud and faeces;
b) the wheels, wheel arches and underside of the vehicle must then be sprayed with a Ministry approved disinfectant;
c) the vehicle must drive through a wheel bath which is at least 3.5m from front to back and in which there is at least 5cm of Ministry approved disinfectant or be driven over a disinfectant pad system of at least 3.5m from front to rear and treated with Ministry approved disinfectant.

4.4 STAFF

a) Wear clean clothes;
b) Do not wear any clothes that have had contact with susceptible farm animals;
c) Disinfect your shoes/boots before leaving the yard;
d) Disinfect your shoes/boots on return and clothes should be changed before there is any contact with susceptible farm animals;
e) Take the minimum amount of personal belongings and equipment to the racecourse.

4.5 GENERAL MAFF ADVICE APPLICABLE TO ALL TRAINERS

a) You should ensure you maintain the highest standards of hygiene for all movements on and off your establishment;
b) You should have only one combined entrance and exit. Display the name of the establishment and the telephone number on the gate. Keep the gate locked;
c) You should consider providing a means of contact between your establishment entrance and house for essential callers, e.g. a bell. Supply a tub of disinfectant, a brush for scrubbing footwear and a spray pump. Keep the disinfectant solution clean-renew it daily;
d) Stop all non-essential vehicles and visitors from entering the establishment and arrange whenever possible for collection and delivery of supplies to take place at establishment boundary;
e) Keep a record of all deliveries. In the event of disease being confirmed this may help in epidemiological investigations;
f) Where possible, house all susceptible farm animals or keep them away from the perimeter of your establishment;
g) Ensure you complete all records of stock movements as required by existing legislation;
h) Keep dogs, cats and poultry under control;
i) Make every effort to destroy rats and other vermin. They may spread disease;
j) Keep any stock away from household waste, bones or swill;
k) limit contact with other peoples’ farm animals and with other keepers of farm animals. Should you have any contact with them, before you go near your own animals, disinfect your footwear, change your clothes and wash with hot water and soap, including your hair. Any item or object that may have had contact with disease must also be disinfected.

4.6 MOVEMENT OF HORSES FROM YARDS WHICH ARE WITHIN 1KM OF INFECTED PREMISES

a) Horses from a yard within 1km of any infected premises (i.e. a premises on which Foot and Mouth Disease has been confirmed by MAFF) may not enter property owned, used or controlled by the Managing Executive of a racecourse for 30 days after the date of confirmation of Foot and Mouth Disease on the infec