Horseracing in Ireland and Britain has been banned as a precautionary measure following the spread of foot-and-mouth in Britain.
Minister for Agriculture, Joe Walsh, announced his decision today in Brussels and it will take affect from 12 midnight. There appears to be no time scale for the suspension but authorities in Britain have called off racing for a one week period. Minister Walsh has also banned the transport of horses in to the country and asked Irish racegoers not to travel to the Cheltenham festival. Greyhound racing in Ireland will also be stopped.
