Yesterday, the Welsh Senedd voted to pass the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill, which will make it an offence to organise greyhound racing in Wales or operate a stadium which is used for greyhound racing.

The legislation continues to be the subject of a Judicial Review, with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain arguing that there was insufficient consultation underpinning the legislation. The High Court in Wales sat on Tuesday and Wednesday last week to hear arguments related to the Judicial Review, with a judgment expected between 23rd March and 7th April.

Following the Senedd’s vote on the Bill, Mark Bird, CEO of GBGB, said:

“This Bill has disgraced the ethical and legislative processes from start to finish.

“All legislators and voters should be alarmed by the repeated failures in public consultation, evidence gathering and overall due diligence in the pursuit of this misguided Bill.

“First, the Welsh Government acted against officials’ advice showing that there was insufficient evidence and consultation to justify a ban on greyhound racing.

“Then, they proceeded in the face of two damning cross-party Committee reports which warned of exactly the same concerns.

“Now, the Welsh Government has decided to press on with their rushed legislative timetable even while judges consider whether it is lawful, as part of the ongoing Judicial Review process.

“From the very beginning, the Welsh Government had the choice to opt for a regulated industry – one which upholds high standards of welfare and provides far greater protections for its racing greyhounds than for any domestic pet dog. The only thing this Bill will do is destroy people’s jobs, family-run businesses and community touchpoints not to mention cause significant loss to the Welsh economy.  

“Valley Greyhound Stadium has invested around £2million in upgraded veterinary, kennelling and track facilities, all while offering employment and economic vitality for a community that needs it. Anyone who has visited the track knows how deeply trainers, kennelhands and owners love their greyhounds and the lengths they go to in caring for and raising happy, healthy greyhounds.

“We remain resolute in our fight against this Bill process and await the court judgements.”