GREYHOUND racing will be banned in Wales after Senedd Members voted in favour of new legislation aimed at protecting the welfare of racing dogs.

The Bill introduces a phased transition period to allow the industry to wind down responsibly, strengthen rehoming arrangements for retired greyhounds, and give enforcement bodies and local authorities time to prepare for the change. The ban is expected to come into force between April 1, 2027 and April 1, 2030.

The legislation reflects a clear policy decision that the risks associated with greyhound racing – including injuries, fatalities and poor outcomes for dogs after their racing careers end – can no longer be justified. Despite efforts by parts of the industry to improve standards, harm to greyhounds has remained a persistent concern.

Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, said: “Wales is a progressive nation, committed to ethical standards and forward-thinking legislation. This Bill strengthens our reputation as a leader on animal welfare and delivers the standards that the people of Wales rightly expect.”

The move follows significant public engagement, with thousands of people, campaigners and organisations contributing through petitions, consultations and personal testimony. Their input has played a central role in shaping the legislation.

Commenting on the news that the greyhound racing ban has been passed by the Senedd, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS, who has spearheaded the campaign, said “This is a massive victory for animal welfare, and I’m proud that the Welsh Liberal Democrats have helped deliver it.

“Today, Wales has made a clear statement about the kind of nation we want to be: compassionate, forward-looking, and willing to act when the evidence demands it.” 

National animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports welcomed the move, urging the Welsh Government to implement the ban “as soon as possible”.

The League supported the Cut the Chase coalition, led by Hope Rescue Wales, which played a central role in campaigning for the legislation.

Jamie Adair, the League’s public affairs officer for Wales, said: “Greyhound racing is cruel from the cradle to the grave, so we welcome this ban in Wales and call on the Welsh Government to name a date for it to be implemented.

“The death and injury toll of greyhound racing is quite simply shocking, and goes beyond what people see at the racetracks.”

Figures published by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain show that, between 2017 and 2024, 1,357 greyhounds died at racetracks in England and Wales, while 35,168 sustained injuries.

A 2018 report by Professor Andrew Knight, a veterinary expert in animal welfare, concluded that racing greyhounds on oval tracks is inherently dangerous, placing significant strain on the animals’ bodies.

The League is now urging the Welsh Government to confirm when the ban will come into force, with campaigners calling for clarity ahead of the Senedd election in May.

The charity also highlighted strong public engagement during the consultation process, with hundreds of supporters contributing to the Welsh Government’s review ahead of the Bill.

Jamie Adair added: “The successful Bill to ban greyhound racing in Wales is a testament to the Welsh Government’s commitment to strong animal welfare laws, backed by the public.

“We now call on the Scottish and UK governments to follow suit and ban greyhound racing in both Scotland and England.”

Projects to protect wildlife, restore habitats and strengthen biodiversity

TWENTY-EIGHT projects across Wales have secured more than £15 million to protect wildlife and restore biodiversity on land and at sea.

The funding, totalling £15,186,716, has been awarded through the Nature Networks Fund, with individual grants ranging from £50,000 to £1 million. Projects include efforts to protect the brown long-eared bat, restore vital wetland habitats and safeguard threatened plant species.

The scheme is delivered by the Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government, in partnership with Natural Resources Wales (NRW). It aims to strengthen the resilience of protected sites and accelerate nature recovery across the country.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, who holds responsibility for climate change, said: “This significant investment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to international targets such as 30by30, increasing the scale and pace of delivery to protect Wales’s natural heritage.

“By supporting these projects, we are not only preserving precious ecosystems but also empowering communities to become stewards of their local environments. The Nature Networks Fund is a crucial tool in our response to the nature emergency.”

The latest round of funding will focus on improving connectivity between protected sites, creating stronger ecological networks where habitats and species can thrive and adapt to environmental pressures.

Since launching in 2021, the Nature Networks Fund has supported 147 projects with a combined investment of more than £54 million.

Among the successful projects, the Bat Conservation Trust has been awarded £249,630 for a Wales-wide initiative to protect the brown long-eared bat, often known as the “whispering bat”. The project will support woodland management, tree roost surveys, improved data collection and community engagement activities.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales has secured £823,320 to safeguard vulnerable plant species. The funding will expand the National Seed Bank of Wales, which currently conserves just 11% of Welsh flora, and support improvements at the 150-hectare Waun Las National Nature Reserve.

Meanwhile, wetland charity WWT will receive £548,406 to restore habitats at WWT Llanelli and along the Tir Morfa coastline. The project aims to improve conditions for wildlife, including internationally important wintering birds, while also supporting climate resilience in the wider Burry Inlet.

Andrew White, Director of Wales at the Heritage Fund, said: “To protect Wales’ habitats and wildlife, we need long-term, sustainable action built on genuine collaboration. These awards reflect both the scale of ambition behind the Nature Networks Fund and the vital role communities play in creating a more resilient future for nature.”

Mary Lewis, Head of Natural Resources Management and Policy at NRW, added: “We are delighted to see such a strong range of high-quality projects receiving support. From marine and coastal environments to rivers, wetlands and terrestrial habitats, the breadth of ambition across Wales is inspiring.

“These initiatives use innovative approaches to tackle some of our most pressing nature and climate challenges, helping to maintain, restore and enhance protected sites while building resilient ecological networks.”

The programme forms part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to the Global Biodiversity Framework “30 by 30” target, which aims to protect and effectively manage 30% of land, freshwater and marine environments by 2030.

Below is a full list of projects being funded. 

£50,000 – £250,000 grants: 

• Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum Community Interest Company awarded £249,584, Pembrokeshire 
• Merthyr Mawr Estate awarded £249,929, Bridgend 
• Fieldwork Studio CIC awarded £248,414, Bridgend 
• Carmarthenshire County Council awarded £209,950, Burry Port 
• Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts awarded £249,898, Bangor 
• British Trust for Ornithology awarded £249,968, Bangor 
• Denbighshire County Council awarded £247,225, Mold 
• The Penllergare Trust awarded £194,600, Swansea 
• Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland awarded £249,988, Welshpool 
• Cyngor Gwynedd awarded £250,000, Caernarfon 
• Zoological Society of London awarded £249,991, Isle of Anglesey 
• Friends of the Upper Wye awarded £174,633, Hay on Wye 
• The Bat Conservation Trust awarded £249,630, Ceredigion 
• Tir Natur awarded £222,030, Ceredigion 
• Llanymynech Golf Club awarded £249,998, Oswestry 

£250,000 – £1million 

• Milford Haven Port Authority awarded £959,180, Pembrokeshire 
• The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty awarded £998,766, Bangor 
• The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust awarded £548,406, Wales-wide  
• Black Mountains Land Use Partnership awarded £995,152, Black Mountains 
• The Radnorshire Wildlife Trust awarded £952,350, Powys 
• The Zoological Society of London awarded £997,771, Llŷn Peninsula 
• The National Botanic Gardens of Wales awarded £823,320, Carmarthenshire 
• Monmouthshire County Council awarded £999,974, Gwent 
• The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales awarded £926,905, Wales-wide 
• Vale of Glamorgan Council awarded £574,850, South Wales 
• Brecon Beacons National Park Authority awarded £999,758, Brecon Beacons 
• Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust awarded £921,700, Powys 
• Welsh Dee Trust awarded £942,746, Denbighshire 

Major emergency response in town centre after concerns raised for man in water

A MAN has died after being recovered from the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest today (Tuesday, Mar 17), Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at approximately 10:50am following reports concerning the safety of a man seen in the water near the town library.

A major multi-agency response was launched, involving multiple police units, several fire engines, a specialist water rescue team, and an ambulance.

The town centre was temporarily sealed off while crews dealt with the incident, with access restricted across the Old Bridge and nearby pedestrian crossings.

The Herald understands that members of the public raised the alarm after spotting the man in the river.

Following the recovery operation, the man was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Police have since confirmed that he has died.

His next of kin have been informed.

The death is not being treated as suspicious, and HM Coroner has been notified.