Politics

‘End this horrendous cruelty now’: Senedd calls for greyhound racing ban

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

SENEDD Members reiterated cross-party calls for a ban on greyhound racing due to “horrendous cruelty” at the last remaining track in Wales.

Carolyn Thomas told the Senedd the future of greyhound racing has been high on the agenda since a 2022 petition calling for a ban was signed by more than 35,000 people.

Ms Thomas said the Hope Rescue charity founded by Vanessa Waddon, who submitted the petition, has first-hand experience of horrendous cruelty at the Valley Greyhound Stadium.

She warned that dogs have lost their lives and regularly suffered life-changing injuries at the greyhound racing track in Ystrad Mynach.

Ms Thomas said: “Hope Rescue started when Vanessa found Last Hope back in 2004, a greyhound from the Valley track found shot with a captive bolt gun, with its ears hacked off.

“This was so he could not be identified by his tattoos. At the time, his tail was still wagging.”

Ms Thomas, who chairs the Senedd cross-party group on animal welfare as well as the petitions committee, thanked the “Cut the Chase” coalition of campaigning charities.

She pointed out that two-thirds of respondents to a Welsh Government consultation were in favour of a phased or imminent ban on greyhound racing.

Ms Thomas said: “We must not ignore the significant majority of people who acknowledge that the welfare of racing dogs must come before entertainment.”

The former councillor, who represents North Wales, raised concerns about the frequency of race meetings increasing from one to three times a week between 2023 and 2024.

She said: “604 dogs have raced at the track during this period, of those 140 have been involved in incidents and injuries – that’s nearly a quarter of them.”

Leading a debate on February 12, Ms Thomas told the Senedd that 389 dogs involved in racing on British tracks died in 2023, a 44% increase on the previous year.

Warning that rescue centres are struggling, she pointed to statistics showing 2,500 retired dogs were residing in trainers’ kennels while waiting to be rehomed in July 2024.

The Labour politician stressed: “Greyhound racing is a cruel, unsustainable, out-of-date industry which we must resign to the past.”

Urging Welsh ministers to bring in a ban before next year’s election, she said: “The longer we wait to act, the more dogs will be injured or sadly lose their life at the Valleys track.”

She pointed to plans for a ban in New Zealand, where the industry is worth £73m a year and employs 1,000 people, due to injuries and the deaths of dogs.

Jane Dodds with Arthur, her late adopted greyhound

Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds, whose first rescue greyhound called Arthur died in 2023, said she suffered online abuse following a previous debate on calls for a ban.

“He was only with us for three years because of the injuries and trauma he’d experienced,” she said, adding: “I hope we get this ban because in my head it’ll be Arthur’s law.”

Plaid Cymru’s Luke Fletcher warned it remained unclear whether the Welsh Government would heed calls for a ban following a long consultation process.

The Conservatives’ Altaf Hussain said: “I wholeheartedly agree that we need to end the cruelty that is greyhound racing and we need to end it today.”

Joyce Watson pointed out that the UK is one of only four countries in the world – alongside Australia, Ireland and the US – “refusing” to ban greyhound racing.

Mick Antoniw, a fellow Labour backbencher, said: “The reality of greyhound racing is that the industry cannot exist without systematic animal cruelty.”

Huw Irranca-Davies, the Deputy First Minister who is responsible for animal welfare policy, acknowledged the strength of feeling across the debating chamber or Siambr.

Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and secretary for climate change and rural affairs

He said: “I recognise that this is a complex and emotional issue and I want to ensure ongoing improvement to wellbeing and that’s why I am considering issues around licensing and a ban as part of the consultation.

“Although there are strong feelings on this in the consultation and a high level of support for considering a gradual ban, we also ask for evidence to confirm such views. We have taken time to review this additional evidence.”

Mr Irranca-Davies told Senedd Members that the next steps will be shared in the spring as part of the development of a wider national model for the regulation of animal welfare.

Following the debate, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) disputed some Senedd Members’ comments.

Raising 2023 data, which was independently verified by law firm Barnes Roffe, GBGB emphasised that the track fatality rate remained consistent with previous year’s at 0.03%.

A spokesperson said this was half the level in 2018, with 109 greyhounds being put to sleep at licensed stadia on veterinary advice.

They clarified that the figure of 389 greyhounds dying in 2023, which was referenced by Ms Thomas, included those put to sleep on veterinary advice for reasons unrelated to racing.

GBGB criticised the “misleading” depiction of the consultation, pointing out that 40% of responses backing a ban were duplicates from the League Against Cruel Sports.

Addressing claims of cruelty, GBGB said: “Ms Thomas’ only evidence behind this claim was a reference to a welfare incident witnessed by Hope Rescue more than 20 years ago, long before the track was licensed.

“It is wholly inaccurate to suggest this experience in any way reflects the welfare standards in place at the Valley in the present day, especially as it is now a GBGB-regulated track.”

Valley Greyhounds achieved its GBGB licence in 2023 after investing more than £2m in bringing the track up to the regulator’s standards.

The spokesperson said: “This included upgrades to the kennelling facilities, the sight lines at the bends, the track surface and the veterinary facilities at the track.

“The track must also have a veterinary surgeon on site for all racing and trialling who thoroughly checks each greyhound before, during and after each race.”

News

Labour split over Brawdy defence project as Eluned Morgan calls for project halt

Published

2 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Henry Tufnell backs DARC radar scheme as First Minister calls for plans to be halted over concerns about the USA

A LABOUR split has emerged over the proposed Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability project at Brawdy, with Henry Tufnell MP publicly backing the scheme after First Minister Eluned Morgan called for it to be paused.

Mr Tufnell said the DARC project could be a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for Pembrokeshire, after Ms Morgan argued that the AUKUS-linked development should be halted while the United States is proving to be an unreliable ally.

The proposed Ministry of Defence scheme would see 27 large parabolic radar dishes installed at Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy, to track satellites and space debris in high Earth orbit. The Pembrokeshire site would form part of a wider joint programme involving the UK, the USA and Australia.

Ms Morgan, who is Labour’s candidate for Ceredigion Penfro as well as First Minister, had said the plan should be paused in light of what she described as Donald Trump’s hostility towards the UK and concerns over American foreign policy.

But Mr Tufnell, the Labour MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, has now struck a very different tone, saying the scheme could bring jobs, investment and long-term benefits to the county.

In a statement issued on Tuesday (Apr 15), he said: “I’m concerned that the First Minister appears to not want the local jobs and economic growth on a project that is unlikely to be operational until after the Trump administration.”

He added: “Our community here in Pembrokeshire has always played a pivotal role in the UK’s defence and the DARC project represents the next chapter in our proud heritage.”

Mr Tufnell said he was working closely with the MoD to make sure local views were taken into account as the plans move forward.

He said: “I am working closely with MoD officials to ensure that the views and concerns of local residents are fully heard and addressed. It is vital that any environmental and public health concerns are addressed, and the project must deliver genuine, tangible benefits for local workers and the wider community.”

The U.K. Government is resolute on using defence to keep our country safe and revitalise the industrial heartlands of our United Kingdom.

He also backed the wider UK Government position on defence investment, adding: “The UK Government is resolute on using defence to keep our country safe and revitalise the industrial heartlands of our United Kingdom.”

The differing positions expose a clear divide within Labour over one of the most significant proposed developments in Pembrokeshire in recent years.

The pre-application consultation on the Brawdy scheme has now ended, with the Ministry of Defence expected to submit a formal planning application to Pembrokeshire County Council.

News

Plaid vows to push ahead with St Clears station plan

Published

2 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Senedd candidate Nerys Evans says west Wales has been left behind for too long as party renews call for rail investment

PLAID CYMRU has pledged to press ahead with plans to reopen a railway station in St Clears if it forms the next Welsh Government after the Senedd election on Thursday (May 7).

The proposal to restore a station in the Carmarthenshire town, which lost its rail link in the 1960s, was first announced in 2020. But despite years of campaigning and political pressure, the scheme has yet to be delivered.

Nerys Evans, one of Plaid Cymru’s candidates in Carmarthenshire, said communities in west Wales had repeatedly missed out on their fair share of transport investment.

In its manifesto published earlier this month, Plaid Cymru said it would improve rail links across the west of Wales. The party has also repeated its demand for rail powers to be devolved to Wales and for what it says is Wales’ full share of HS2 funding.

Plaid argues that Wales is owed £4 billion after HS2 was classified as an “England and Wales” project, despite no part of the line between Birmingham and London being in Wales.

Speaking near the proposed site of the new station, Ms Evans said Carmarthenshire had every right to feel overlooked.

She said: “There is often a feeling in Carmarthenshire that we are not getting our fair share of funding, and that is absolutely justified. Too often, Wales gets very little, and west Wales even less.

“Plaid Cymru has continuously campaigned for our fair share of rail investment in west Wales, and in government we will ensure fair treatment for communities like St Clears.

“We have outlined how a Plaid Cymru government would bring forward plans to develop our rail infrastructure in the west, including in St Clears, even as we fight for the funding and powers that Wales deserves.

“It is so important that Wales has a government after the election on Thursday (May 7) that is really willing to stand up for its people and communities in order to demand the money and powers that are owed to us, not only when it comes railways, but many other policy areas too.”

The pledge forms part of Plaid Cymru’s wider transport offer ahead of the Senedd election, with the party seeking to make improved rail links a key issue for rural and west Wales communities.

Photo caption:

Station pledge: Plaid Cymru Senedd candidate Nerys Evans near the proposed site of the new St Clears railway station (Pic: Supplied).

News

CPRW calls for action on pylons, pollution and rural Wales ahead of Senedd vote

Published

23 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Charity publishes eight-point manifesto urging next Welsh Government to protect countryside while delivering clean energy

THE CAMPAIGN for the Protection of Rural Wales has set out an eight-point manifesto ahead of the Senedd elections, calling on political parties to back stronger action to protect the countryside, restore nature and deliver renewable energy in a way that works for rural communities.

The charity, known as CPRW, published its proposals on Monday ahead of the Welsh election on Thursday, May 7.

It says the next Welsh Government must take practical steps to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and growing pressures on rural areas, while also safeguarding landscapes, communities and Wales’ natural heritage.

Among its main demands are a major expansion of rooftop solar on homes and public buildings, a commitment to deliver most of Wales’ renewable energy by 2030 through offshore wind and rooftop solar, and new rules or legislation to favour underground electricity cables over pylons.

CPRW is also calling for greater backing for tidal energy, the creation of a Nature and Climate Change Commissioner, and more support for Natural Resources Wales to help expand protected areas in line with the UK’s 30 by 30 target.

Other proposals include a ring-fenced Welsh Government fund to maintain and improve public footpaths, along with legally binding action to tackle pollution in Wales’ rivers, lakes and seas.

Jonty Colchester, Chair of CPRW, said: “Wales has the opportunity to lead the UK in protecting landscapes while delivering a fair transition to clean energy.

“Our manifesto sets out practical steps to achieve both, supporting communities, safeguarding nature and strengthening the resilience of rural Wales.

“We urge all political parties to recognise that protecting the countryside is not a niche concern. It is fundamental to Wales’ economy, culture and quality of life.”

The charity, which will mark its centenary in 2028, said the next Senedd term will be critical in shaping the long-term future of Wales’ natural environment.

CPRW has published the full manifesto in both English and Welsh. For further information, the organisation has asked media to contact Caroline Conway.