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Racing on despite virus fears

LONDON, England -- Horse racing has started again in Britain, despite farmers' pleas for its continued suspension during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

There are now over 80 confirmed cases of the virus in Britain, and some farmer fear that large, rural gatherings such as horse races could spread the highly contagious virus.

Strict measures have been stepped up across Europe to try and prevent its spread across the Channel.

The 110-year-old Lingfield Park course opened its gates to racegoers on Wednesday. The British Horseracing Board said it believed measures it had introduced -- including requiring vehicles to drive through disinfectant - would be sufficient to contain the disease.

As a further precaution, organisers requested that all horse boxes be driven along the same route to the course, which is 40 miles (65 kilometres) from London.

Agriculture officials have expressed confidence that culling and quarantine are bringing foot-and-mouth under control, but the National Farmer's Union had urged the racecourse to wait another week.

"I know that what we are asking is very difficult, and I in no way underestimate the degree of sacrifice involved. But farmers are extremely concerned about the possible spread of foot-and-mouth," union president Ben Gill wrote in a letter to racing authorities.

The axe does however continue to hang over the highlight of the jump racing season, with a new case of the disease found at stable 70 kilometres (42 miles) from the course where next week's Cheltenham Festival is to be held.

Irish trainers have already decided not to attend the meeting and French horses are unlikely to make the trip.

Foot-and-mouth -- harmless to humans -- affects cloven-hoofed animals destroying their economic value. It is highly contagious and can be spread by the wind or on the soles of shoes.

Drastic measures to contain its spread, including an export ban and the culling of over 80,000 animals, has plunged the British farming sector into crisis.

The export ban alone is costing the industry an estimated $12 million (Ł8 million) a week in lost sales.

There has however been the first easing of restrictions this week with the government sanctioning limited transfers of animals to slaughterhouses from areas unaffected by the virus.

But plans for holding centres for livestock on the way to abattoirs may have to be shelved following a European-wide ban on animal markets imposed on Tuesday to try and stop the diseases spread across the Channel.

France on Wednesday announced it is to destroy 60 illegally imported sheep and 100 animals that had contact with them amid continuing fears that the epidemic will cross the Channel.

None of the animals had showed symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease but a veterinary official in the western department of Vienne said they would be destroyed because they arrived in the country after February 1.

France alone has so far ordered the destruction of 20,000 sheep imported from Britain after February 1 and 30,000 French sheep that had contact with them.

It has also introduced a two-week ban on the export of all animals at risk from the highly contagious disease along with most movements of livestock.

The country's Six Nations clash with Wales at Stade de France on March 17 is also in doubt because of the outbreak.

Reuters contributed to this report.