Stewards will be given greater powers to stand down a licensed person under a new rule introduced by the Australian Racing Board.

ARB chief executive Peter McGauran said there were constraints within the rule which restricts stewards to standing down an individual only on reasonable grounds and with sufficient evidence.

The person would need to have been charged under the rules of racing, or with a criminal offence, and be considered a risk to the image and integrity of racing.

McGauran said giving stewards additional powers would help balance the interests of the racing industry against those of an individual.

NSW Trainers' Association chief executive Steve McMahon said the new rule flew in the face of the presumption of innocence until guilt was proven.

"To suspend someone 'just in case' they are guilty is extremely unfair and subject to abuse," McMahon said.