GBGB warns legislation is “deeply flawed” as cross-party concerns over process and evidence resurface

THE SENEDD has been accused of “sleepwalking into bad lawmaking” after a Stage One debate on plans to ban greyhound racing in Wales, with the sport’s governing body launching a fierce attack on both the policy and the process behind the proposed legislation.

The criticism follows Tuesday’s debate on the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill, which seeks to make it a criminal offence to organise or operate greyhound racing anywhere in Wales.

In a statement issued after the debate, Mark Bird, chief executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), said the way the Bill had been brought forward showed the Senedd “in the worst possible light,” accusing ministers of pursuing legislation despite serious warnings from their own scrutiny committees.

“This entire process shows the Welsh Senedd in the worst possible light,” Mr Bird said. “We have gone from a dodgy backroom deal to an indefensible policy sham which ignores the condemnation and objections that two separate cross-party Committees have rightly shown.”

Committee concerns ignored

The Bill has already attracted significant criticism during the scrutiny process, with Senedd committees raising concerns about the lack of a robust evidence base, the speed at which the legislation was introduced, and the absence of a full economic impact assessment.

During Stage One, Members were asked to consider whether the Bill’s general principles should proceed. While animal welfare campaigners argue that greyhound racing cannot be made ethical through regulation alone, critics of the Bill say the Welsh Government has failed to demonstrate why prohibition is necessary, particularly given that only one licensed greyhound track currently operates in Wales.

Mr Bird warned that voters would “look long and hard” at those Members who supported the Bill despite committee findings that the legislation was “deeply flawed”.

“This is neither good government nor good politics,” he said. “This Bill will do nothing to serve the priorities of the Welsh public, economy or animal welfare.”

Wider implications feared

One of the central arguments advanced by the GBGB is that the Bill could set a precedent extending far beyond greyhound racing.

Mr Bird said the debate had highlighted the risk that other activities involving animals — including farming, horse racing and even pet ownership — could become future targets if campaign-driven legislation replaces evidence-based policymaking.

“What this debate shows is that what is happening to greyhound racing today can very easily happen to farming, horse ownership and pet ownership tomorrow when the animal rights argument takes control of the political agenda,” he said.

“Wales is sleepwalking into an animal rights future that no one has voted for and which ignores common sense, factual evidence and proper process.”

Supporters argue moral case

Supporters of the Bill argue that public attitudes to animal welfare have shifted, and that greyhound racing — even when regulated — involves an unacceptable level of risk and harm to dogs.

A public petition calling for a ban attracted tens of thousands of signatures, and campaigners say Wales has an opportunity to show ethical leadership by becoming the first UK nation to outlaw the sport.

However, critics point out that public consultation responses were relatively limited, and that proposals to strengthen regulation were not fully explored before ministers opted for prohibition.

Judicial review threat

The GBGB says it has received support from politicians across party lines and intends to continue opposing the Bill as it moves through further stages of scrutiny.

“We have been buoyed by the tremendous amount of support we have been receiving from across the political divide in opposition to this flawed Bill,” Mr Bird said.

“We will continue to fight this through its committee stages and through a Judicial Review.”

Cut the Chase Coalition

A spokesperson from the Cut the Chase Coalition, comprising Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Hope Rescue and the RSPCA, said: “Greyhound racing is inherently dangerous for all the dogs involved. That is why today’s vote is so important, and marks the latest step in what we hope will be the final lap for a pastime which is outdated, and puts animals at unnecessary risk. 

“In backing the legislation’s general principles, Members of the Senedd (MSs) have made a clear statement that the risks greyhound racing continues to pose to dog welfare are simply not defendable in the interests of sport or entertainment.

“Across the UK, the industry’s own data shows the thousands of injuries that have occurred in recent years as a result of racing, while hundreds of dogs have lost their lives. Ending greyhound racing is the only way to protect dogs from such avoidable and unnecessary risk; and MSs have today voted in line with public opinion – after tens of thousands of people signed a petition urging the Welsh Government to take action.

“In the months ahead, we look forward to continuing to work with MSs as this legislation progresses through the Welsh Parliament, to ensure Wales joins the growing list of nations worldwide where greyhound racing has been consigned to where it belongs – the history books.”

What happens next

The Senedd’s decision at Stage One determines whether the Bill progresses to detailed amendment and further debate. If approved in principle, the legislation will face additional scrutiny, with potential changes proposed before a final vote.

As the Bill advances, the clash between animal welfare ethics, legislative standards, and the role of evidence in policymaking looks set to intensify — with the future of greyhound racing in Wales hanging in the balance.