Wales to Become First UK Nation to Ban Greyhound Racing, BGC Expresses Disappointment

Wales is set to make history as the first nation in the United Kingdom to prohibit greyhound racing after the government announced plans to enforce a ban "as soon as practically possible."

Huw Irranca-Davies, the deputy first minister responsible for climate change and rural affairs, confirmed the decision in a statement to the Welsh Parliament (Senedd) on 18 February. Discussions surrounding a potential ban have been ongoing within the Senedd for some time.

Irranca-Davies emphasized the widespread cross-party backing for the measure and stated that the timing is appropriate to move forward.

"I believe that now is the right time to move to ban greyhound racing in Wales. We are proud to be the first nation in the UK to do this," he said.

Public support for the ban also appears to be significant, with over 35,000 individuals signing a petition advocating for an end to greyhound racing in Wales. Furthermore, a government consultation on a national framework for animal welfare revealed that nearly two-thirds of over 1,100 respondents were in favor of a phased ban.

The Cut the Chase coalition, an alliance of organizations working towards ending the sport, has also been pressing for the prohibition. This coalition comprises the Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Hope Rescue, and the RSPCA.

Betting and Gaming Council Opposes the Ban

Despite the broad support for the ban, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has strongly criticized the decision, stating that it and its members are "deeply disappointed" with the move.

In a statement, the BGC contended that the ban was implemented primarily to "satisfy campaigners" rather than being based on concrete evidence.

"Greyhound racing is a working-class sport, enjoyed by thousands, and this draconian move will cost jobs, hurt the economy, while depriving people of a long-established and legitimate source of joy," a BGC spokesperson said.

The council also highlighted the voluntary financial contributions made by its members toward greyhound welfare. "BGC members are proud to support greyhound racing and contribute significant funds for the welfare of dogs. Last year alone, our members voluntarily donated over £7 million to the British Greyhound Racing Fund for the welfare of greyhounds."

Greyhound Board of Great Britain Condemns the Decision

Echoing the BGC’s sentiments, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) also strongly criticized the ban. CEO Mark Bird described the decision as being driven by "extreme" animal rights activism rather than concerns for greyhound welfare.

In a statement, Bird called into question the validity of the government’s consultation process, arguing that it failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the ban.

He also accused Irranca-Davies of refusing to engage with members of the greyhound racing industry in Wales, despite multiple attempts to initiate dialogue. Bird contrasted this with the minister’s willingness to meet with campaign groups that, in his words, "are known to use shock tactics and misleading information to achieve their ends."

"We have engaged in the consultation process in good faith as regulator for the sport, but this statement is hugely disappointing and will do absolutely nothing to support greyhound welfare," Bird said.

Implementation of the Ban

Irranca-Davies reaffirmed the government's commitment to implementing the ban as soon as it is practically feasible. However, he acknowledged that the transition would require careful planning and execution.

"There will be work to do in ensuring the dogs, their owners, and those involved in the industry around the racetrack can wind down from this activity while still protecting the welfare of dogs currently within the industry, the local community, and the local economy," he stated.

To oversee the transition, the Welsh government will establish an implementation group tasked with engaging stakeholders and examining international approaches, including those from New Zealand, which recently announced its own ban on greyhound racing in December.

New Zealand’s Racing Minister, Winston Peters, indicated at the time that he aimed to introduce legislation this year to facilitate the shutdown of the sport.

With Wales moving forward with its own prohibition, it joins a growing list of nations taking action to eliminate greyhound racing, despite opposition from the industry and gaming sectors. 

By fLEXI tEAM