Racing boards to meet over foot-and-mouth

The transport of racehorses during the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease will be discussed at a meeting of the sport'…

The transport of racehorses during the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease will be discussed at a meeting of the sport's top figures tomorrow.

Although horses are not affected by the disease they can carry it.

Racing was halted for six weeks in the 1967/8 season during the last serious outbreak.

Jockey Club spokesman Mr John Maxse said: "There will be a meeting at Portman Square tomorrow morning which will include representatives from the Jockey Club, British Horseracing Board, the Racecourse Association and the National Trainers' Federation together with representatives from the Animal Health Trust.

READ MORE

"They will be hearing expert views and advice on foot-and-mouth and they will be considering the implications of various scenarios.

"One of the points discussed will be the general transport of horses, including horses from overseas."

The meeting at Newcastle scheduled for tomorrow was called off on Friday because it fell within a 10-mile exclusion zone around an infected area.