THE GREYHOUND BOARD OF GREAT BRITAIN, which oversees Wales’s only licensed greyhound racing track, has welcomed a statement by the Welsh Government on the licensing of animal establishments following a public consultation earlier this year.

GBGB, as the regulator for the licensed greyhound racing sector, expressed its commitment to continued collaboration with the Welsh Government to enhance the welfare of racing greyhounds. The statement, delivered by the Deputy First Minister, summarized responses to the consultation on licensing animal welfare establishments, activities, and exhibits.

Broad support for licensing

The consultation responses, which included contributions from GBGB, racing industry stakeholders, and animal welfare charities, demonstrated clear support for licensing animal welfare establishments. Respondents highlighted the positive economic, social, cultural, and welfare impacts of GBGB’s regulation of greyhound racing in Wales, particularly at the Valley Stadium.

Mark Bird, Chief Executive of GBGB, said: “We welcome the consultation summary today, which shows very clearly the strength of support for effective and proportionate regulation to safeguard animal welfare – whether for commercial dog walkers and pet groomers or within greyhound racing.

“As the regulator for Wales’s greyhound racing track, the Valley Stadium, we have proven how robust licensing can transform welfare standards. Despite coordinated and misleading campaigns by animal rights groups – as evidenced by the duplicate responses flagged in the summary – these efforts have not gained definitive support for a phased ban.

“We are pleased the Government continues to prioritise a fully comprehensive, evidence-based, and measured approach to optimising welfare. As further work is carried out on effective regulation in Wales, we remain committed to engaging fully with the Deputy First Minister and his officials to promote and protect greyhound welfare.”

Welfare and economic benefits highlighted

Bird emphasized the benefits brought by GBGB’s licensing standards at the Valley Stadium:
“Valley Stadium’s management has invested significantly to meet GBGB’s rigorous licensing requirements. The track now benefits from the expertise of an on-site veterinary surgeon and the ongoing support of our national network of experts. Racing greyhounds enjoy more protections and oversight than the general pet dog population across Wales.

“This licensing has not only enhanced welfare but also generated jobs, growth, and a strong base of local supporters who value the opportunity to enjoy this historic Welsh pastime with welfare at its core.”

Views from animal welfare organisations

The summary of consultation responses featured contributions from respected animal welfare organisations, including Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and The Kennel Club.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home recommended robust regulation, stating:
“Battersea would strongly recommend regulation of Greyhound racing go beyond solely regulating the stadia to also account for trainer kennels, where racing Greyhounds spend 95% of their lives. Regulation should be based on proven, enforceable standards that safeguard welfare.”

The Kennel Club supported licensing, noting:
“We would suggest that it would be premature to ban greyhound racing in Wales without giving a licensing scheme an opportunity to demonstrate that racing can be regulated and operate to acceptable welfare standards.”

Looking ahead

GBGB remains committed to working with the Welsh Government to uphold the highest welfare standards in greyhound racing while ensuring the sport continues to contribute positively to local communities and the economy.

DESCRIBED as a “waste of taxpayers’ money”, a protection order introduced in the centre of Haverfordwest to tackle antisocial behaviour has been “an unnecessary tool” which only resulted in three warnings in two years.

Prior to its backing in mid-2022, a plan to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Haverfordwest town centre had been under discussion for some time, with a public consultation on the matter, as well as previous debates by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The proposals were brought by the town’s then five county councillors, initially prompted by anti-social behaviour and drinking issues at the skate park but later expanded to a large part of the town centre, and were developed in partnership with Dyfed-Powys Police.

Claims had previously been made that “gangs of feral children are roaming around town”, with members of the public subject to verbal and physical abuse in Haverfordwest, and a “criminal element” dealing drugs in the town.

The PSPO gives police and PCSOs additional powers for three years to issue a fixed penalty notice of £100 if someone fails to comply with a request to cease consumption of intoxicating substances in a designated area.

At the time, Cllr Jacob Williams said on “civil liberties grounds” he was shocked to see what was being proposed.

“I think this is way over the top and not a proportionate response,” he said.

The PSPO area includes the Withybush retail area, the river alongside Morrisons, Barn Street, Horsefair roundabout, Rifleman Field, skatepark, Fortunes Frolic and out to the train station.

The December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council received a submitted question by Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy, who had opposed the scheme.

“At full council on July 14, 2022 a decision was made to implement a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within certain areas of Haverfordwest.

“A Partnership Panel held on May 23, 2024, received confirmation that since this PSPO was implemented there have been no prosecutions or fixed penalties issued. There was a cost implication in implementing this PSPO for PCC, money that we can ill afford to spend when ample legislation exists for dealing with antisocial behaviour.

“Therefore, can it be agreed that in future such applications are given greater scrutiny to avoid further waste of taxpayers’ money and what actually reduces antisocial behaviour is increased pro-active policing not more legislation?”

Responding to Cllr Murphy’s question Cllr Williams, now Cabinet Member for Planning & Regulatory Services, said he agreed with the questioner.

“Cllr Murphy and I were among several who opposed this introduction, among the things I said was I was aghast at this proposal which had snowballed; I would’ve been in support around the skate park rather than the town.”

He added: “The way the council was proceeding was not justified and I voted against it; as Cllr Murphy’s question states there have been no prosecutions, but on three occasions police have warned people about offences.”

Cllr Williams said any potential renewing of the order – up for review next year – would go to scrutiny committee before coming before council, “should there be an appetite for this PSPO to be renewed”.

He concluded: “It could be argued there’s no prosecutions so it’s worked; but only three persons have been warned [by police], I think that paints a story that it was probably not only was not a success but probably a tool that was not necessary.”

A CALL by a Pembrokeshire town council to be allowed to site allotments on a county council-owned derelict play area is to be considered by planners.

In an application submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembroke Town Council is seeking permission for a partly retrospective change of use of the former local authority play area on land to the rear of Station Road, Pembroke to 20 allotments.

A supporting statement accompanying the application says: “The area was a former local authority play area and has not had play equipment or been open to the public for over 20 years.  Due to demand of allotments, we the town council have leased the land from Pembrokeshire County Council as a community growing area. The land will be divided into around 20 plots. There will also be a 1.5m wide pedestrian path, going through the middle of the field to access the individual plots.

“The site is in a state of unkemptness due to restricted access and a lack of use by any departments in the authority for at least the last decade. PCC own the site, and Environmental Services are Asset Managers. On the whole the site is in remarkably good condition and requires very little intervention as a proposed allotment.”

It adds: “Only pedestrian access is possible to the site, however this makes highly suitable to offer to local residents, which would be preferential. Delivering items to the site may be hindered but tenants are asked only to take what they’ll use to an allotment site to prevent refuse accumulating, and the gateway is wide enough to accommodate wheelbarrows.

“With regards to allotments, we tend to provide an area of land ’as seen’, it would be a tenant’s responsibility to tidy the plot and rid it of weeds and unwanted green growth, and deal with composting accordingly.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.