Foot and Mouth update

[NoChanceToDance]

From Racing Post......

'Extra requirements' needed for movement of horses

by Bill Barber
.

THE NATIONAL Trainers' Federation spent Wednesday contacting trainers with runners in Ireland and France this weekend to warn them of extra requirements needed in order to travel in light of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

A tripartite agreement between Britain, France and Ireland which allowed free movement of horses has been suspended, an outcome which means that trainers in Britain will require Defra-obtained animal health documentation in order to run their horses in those countries.

It would affect trainers such as Mick Channon and Peter Chapple-Hyam who plan to run Championship Point and Al Qasi respectively at the Curragh on Sunday, as well as Godolphin's Echo Of Light and Mark Johnston's Dubai Touch who are possibles for the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deaville on the same day.

Horses travelling back to France and Ireland having run in Britain will also require a vet's certificate before the British authorities will allow them to leave.

NTF chief executive Rupert Arnold said : "We have sent out a summary of all the requirements in this country and abroad, and for horses coming here, by e-mail and I have spoken to the offices of around half a dozen trainers who have runners in France and Ireland over the weekend so they know the paperwork requirements have changed.”
"We are in direct contact with the British Horseracing Authority about the changing situation so we can keep trainers informed of what is happening.”

"One of the complications is that the French have decided that no feed can be brought into the country whish could cause problems if trainers are not able to arrange getting supplies over in France.”

The paperwork itself is pretty straightforward."

The BHA was on Wednesday night finalising the wording of official guidelines with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and said that those wanting information should go to britishhorseracing.com and the racing administration website, or contact the BHA, NTF or their local Defra office direct.

The government eased the restrictions on the movement of animals on Wednesday despite livestock on a third farm adjacent to one of the previously infected premises in Surrey being culled on suspicion of foot and mouth.