The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) is delighted to announce that Supply Chain In-Sites (SCI) has achieved UKAS accreditation for the GBGB Greyhound Trainers Residential Kennels Scheme. This means that both GBGB-licensed racecourses and residential kennels are now assessed and awarded UKAS-accredited certificates.

This extension further highlights GBGB’s continued commitment to welfare and care through applied and annually inspected independent standards across greyhound racing in Great Britain.

Since 2020, every greyhound trainer licensed by GBGB has been required to have their kennels inspected annually by external auditors. This external inspection is in addition to regular visits by GBGB’s field force of Stipendiary Stewards, as well as an annual veterinary inspection.

The GBGB Kennel Scheme aims to ensure consistent kennelling practices, in accordance with the BSI PAS 251:2017 ‘Greyhound Residential Kennels’ technical specification, which was developed by a steering group of interested stakeholders. This provides an independent kennel standard for racing greyhounds that supports good welfare practices.

This is in addition to the guidance provided by GBGB’s Code of Practice for Residential Kennels, which provides a thorough, evidence-based guide to all aspects of greyhound care for trainers and kennel staff to use in their day-to-day operations.

Commenting on the news, Mark Bird, GBGB Chief Executive, said:

“Extending the UKAS accreditation to include the inspection of residential kennels was a key short-term objective within our welfare strategy, ‘A Good Life for Every Greyhound’, so we are pleased to have achieved it.

“To secure this accreditation, the Scheme Standard and SCI have been through a thorough and robust process as part of which we have provided unequivocal evidence of the sport’s welfare standards. This accreditation therefore provides further proof of our commitment to welfare and the clear standards required for our athletes throughout their racing careers.”

Dave Walker, from SCI, added:

“We are delighted to work with GBGB.  Achieving accreditation of the scheme will result in the GBGB-licensed trainers being recognised and certified for their hard work in maintaining and promoting welfare standards within the greyhound industry.”