But following a thorough review of the Risk Assessment by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, it was decided that racing will restart on Wednesday, outside infected areas.

It is expected therefore that next week's Cheltenham Festival will go ahead as planned.

In a joint statement, Peter Savill, chairman of the BHB and Christopher Spence, senior steward of the Jockey Club, said: "The decision to resume racing was discussed at great length today, and was confirmed for the following reasons.

"The racing authorities' veterinary advice is that racing represents a negligible risk provided that there is full compliance with the Instructions and Guidelines laid down by the BHB and Jockey Club. This advice has been further endorsed today by MAFF's Risk Assessment.

"Government officials are aware of the decision to resume, and continue to support the industry's actions.

"Racing has a responsibility to those dependent for their living on the industry to base its decisions on scientific evidence.

Savill added: "We have listened to all racing's constituents very carefully, and while respecting the concerns about the farming industry, the weight of the combined scientific advice from Government and our own veterinary officials, as well as the damage the loss of racing for an indefinite period would do to those employed in our industry, lead us to believe that resuming racing is the right decision."