Mark Bird, CEO of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, has said:

“This announcement has nothing to do with greyhound welfare and everything to do with pressure from the extreme animal rights movement.

“The Welsh Government’s own Summary of Consultation Responses highlighted the lack of evidence to support the case for a ban on the sport. This Summary made clear there has been a coordinated campaign against licensed greyhound racing, seeking to drown out the voice of local people including those whose livelihoods rely on the sport.

“Questions should be asked as to why – despite repeated requests – the Minister has failed to meet with the industry in Wales, or its regulator, and preempted his own timeline to make this call.

“Meanwhile the Minister has engaged on numerous occasions with campaign groups known to use shock tactics and misleading information to achieve their ends.

“We have engaged in the consultation process in good faith as regulator for the sport, but this statement is hugely disappointing and will do absolutely nothing to support greyhound welfare.”