Welsh government announces ban on greyhound racing

The Welsh government on Tuesday announced that it intends to ban greyhound racing “as soon as practicably possible”, plunging the future of the nation's only greyhound track into grave doubt. 

The shock news was announced on Tuesday afternoon in a statement made in the Senedd (Welsh parliament) by Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy first minister with responsibility for climate change and rural affairs.

“I’m pleased to share with the Senedd today that I have seen the strength of feeling on this, and I have listened,” said the minister.

“The matter has been discussed and debated in the Senedd and, as demonstrated last week, has clear cross-party support.

“Our consultation on a national model for animal welfare, which included questions relating to greyhounds, received over 1,100 responses. In that consultation, the question asking for evidence and views on a phased ban found almost two thirds of respondents were in favour of such a ban.

“A petition to ban greyhound racing in Wales received over 35,000 signatures. This sits alongside campaign work by the Cut the Chase coalition, which includes Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Hope Rescue, and the RSPCA.

“We also note what is happening in other countries across the world who are taking steps to ban this activity. As a result, I believe that now is the right time to move to ban greyhound racing in Wales.

“We are proud to be the first nation in the UK to do this. I want a ban to come into force as soon as practicably possible. There will be work to do in ensuring the dogs, their owners, and those involved in the industry around the racetrack, can wind down from this activity while still protecting the welfare of dogs currently within the industry, the local community and the local economy.”

The minister said an implementation group would be set up to advise the government on how the ban will come into force, the legislative approach, and when it will be delivered.

Mark Bird, chief executive officer of the GBGB, 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 pre-empted 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.”

Valley, the only GBGB track in Wales, was transformed from an independent by Dave Barclay. It was officially licensed in August 2023 and began operating under GBGB Rules of Racing in November of that year.

The promoter said on Tuesday: “I’ve just been informed out of the blue what they’re planning. No one was aware. The thinking was they were going to try and do something in the spring. I just can’t believe it.

“I think the problem is this Labour lot are aware they won’t be elected next year so it has been pushed it on. Mark my word, once they get greyhound racing, it’ll be horseracing next.

“They’re talking 35,000 signatures they got for the ban, but how many of those are even from this country?

“For our petition we got over 30,000 signatures, they were all in Wales and this country, and there was no debate in the Senedd. How does that work?"

Barclay pointed out that there will be financial repercussions for the Welsh government if it proceeds. “I’m being told that they’d have to pay me compensation,” he said. “I’ve sunk plenty into Valley.”

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