GBGB vows to fight on following Welsh vote on greyhound ban
THE GBGB says it will "remain resolute in our fight against this Bill process and await the court judgements” following the rubber-stamping of by the Welsh Senedd of a bill to ban greyhound racing.
Despite the issue being the subject of an on-going Judicial Review, which was heard in the Welsh High Court last week with the outcome expected soon, a final reading of the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill was passed on Tuesday evening [17th March] by 39 votes to 10, with two MSs abstaining.
Under the legislation the earliest greyhound racing would be banned is April 2027 and the latest April 2030 - the only track currently operating in Wales is Valley Greyhounds in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly.
Mark Bird, CEO of the GBGB, said: “This Bill has disgraced the ethical and legislative processes from start to finish.
“All legislators and voters should be alarmed by the repeated failures in public consultation, evidence gathering and overall due diligence in the pursuit of this misguided Bill.
“First, the Welsh Government acted against officials’ advice showing that there was insufficient evidence and consultation to justify a ban on greyhound racing.
“Then, they proceeded in the face of two damning cross-party Committee reports which warned of exactly the same concerns.
“Now, the Welsh Government has decided to press on with their rushed legislative timetable even while judges consider whether it is lawful, as part of the ongoing Judicial Review process.
“From the very beginning, the Welsh Government had the choice to opt for a regulated industry – one which upholds high standards of welfare and provides far greater protections for its racing greyhounds than for any domestic pet dog.
"The only thing this Bill will do is destroy people’s jobs, family-run businesses and community touchpoints not to mention cause significant loss to the Welsh economy.
“Valley Greyhound Stadium has invested around £2 million in upgraded veterinary, kennelling and track facilities, all while offering employment and economic vitality for a community that needs it.
"Anyone who has visited the track knows how deeply trainers, kennelhands and owners love their greyhounds and the lengths they go to in caring for and raising happy, healthy greyhounds.
“We remain resolute in our fight against this Bill process and await the court judgements.”
The Welsh High Court in Cardiff sat on Tuesday and Wednesday last week to hear GBGB's Judicial Review case against the Welsh Ministers regarding their decision to ban greyhound racing.
The judges on the case were Lord Justice Lewis and Lord Justice Chamberlain. The judgment is expected to be handed down between 23rd March and 7th April.
The basis of GBGB's case is that appropriate consultation was not undertaken prior to the decision to ban, and that the decision and introduction of the Bill was therefore unlawful.
Jonathan Kay