An outbreak of swamp fever – Equine Infectious Anaemia – in Ireland, with up to 18 horses reported to have been infected, appears to be in check but Britain has imposed controls from August 14 to try and stop the disease entering the country.

Runners in British races from Ireland will need a negative Coggins test prior to declaration being accepted while British-trained horses going to Ireland must be tested on their return.

Dr. Peter Webbon, chief executive of Britain’s Horseracing Regulatory Authority, commented: “I have held industry-wide discussions with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the British Equine Veterinary Association, the Irish Racing Authorities, the Animal Health Trust and stakeholders in racing over here.

“Whilst the risk of the spread of the disease within Ireland and over to Great Britain is low, we feel we need to introduce a requirement for testing both to safeguard the British racehorse population and to create a database of movements to which we can refer if the situation in Ireland deteriorates