FARMERS BACK RACE MEETING Racing at Exeter went ahead with the blessing of the local National Farmers` Union today despite the close proximity of a foot-and-mouth black spot. After an apparent U-turn by the local farming community, the racecourse board were given the green light to stage the meeting as long as the necessary precautions were in place and adhered to strictly. Clerk of the course Nick Ansell said: 'The actual official affected area stretches aback to the A38 which runs alongside the course and we are grateful that Anthony Gibson, the Southwest regional director of the NFU, had no objection to us racing. 'The NFU were assured we would take all the necessary precautions as we have actually exceeded the BHB requirements in that respect and we have had no objections or hostile reaction to the meeting taking place.'
