Welsh MS Parry-Jones in call for new Senedd greyhound ban vote

A WELSH parliamentarian is calling for a new vote in the Senedd to reverse the impending ban on greyhound racing before it comes into effect.

Cai Parry-Jones MS, Reform’s shadow minister for finance and government efficiency, pointed to the lack of robust evidence before the initial vote was passed and the ignoring of recommendations from the Senedd's own Culture Committee.

Writing on on X [formerly Twitter] Parry-Jones said: "It was a pleasure to meet racing greyhound Ozzie and his owners. This handsome young boy is a regular on the track and has already won five races.

"There's been a lot of negativity about how racing greyhounds are treated, both online and in the Senedd itself. So I went to see for myself.

"During my visit, Ozzie looked as fit and healthy as a dog can be, trotting around with his tail wagging and only too happy to let me make a fuss of him.

"Of course, one dog can't tell the whole story. But the case for a ban was never clear-cut.

"The Welsh Government's own officials warned ministers they hadn't gathered enough evidence to justify one, and recommended licensing owners instead.

"The Senedd's own Culture Committee didn't recommend a ban either, saying the evidence wasn't robust enough. The last Senedd banned it anyway.

"The ban can't come into force before April 2027, so Wales's only greyhound track, Valley Greyhound Stadium in Ystrad Mynach, hasn't closed its doors for good just yet. I'm calling for a vote in the Senedd to reverse the ban before it does.

"Greyhound racing is a traditionally working-class sport. The ordinary owners, trainers and fans who love it don't have the money to lobby politicians, unlike those who campaigned for the ban.

"As a Reform MS, I'm here to be a voice for the people the Senedd has ignored for decades, not for fat-cat lobbyists."