The Senedd’s Culture Committee says that animal welfare must be the top priority in any decision about greyhound racing.
While the Committee recognises the serious concerns raised about injuries, fatalities and welfare, it believes the Welsh Government should have taken a more rigorous, evidence-led approach when introducing legislation. The shortened timetable has meant there has not been enough time to get timely answers to key questions, and some confusion has remained.
The Committee has published its Stage 1 report on the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill. While the Bill seeks to prohibit greyhound racing on animal welfare grounds, the Committee concluded that the evidence presented was incomplete and highly contested.
Delyth Jewell MS, Chair of the Senedd’s Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee said:
“We’re all agreed that animal welfare must be the top priority in any decision about greyhound racing, but a lack of clear evidence has made the work of scrutinising the Bill more difficult.
“We were asked to scrutinise a Bill with incomplete and contested evidence, and within a shortened timeframe. That is not how good law is made. The Welsh Government should have taken more time to gather robust data and consult widely.”
Members of the Committee heard compelling arguments about the risks of injuries and fatalities on the track, and concerns about welfare throughout a greyhound’s life – from breeding and kennelling to retirement. Witnesses highlighted issues such as:
- Persistent injuries and fatalities despite regulation.
- Welfare challenges beyond racing, including breeding practices and rehoming pressures.
- Lack of transparency and gaps in data on injury rates and lifetime welfare.
Delyth Jewell MS added:
“The welfare of greyhounds must remain paramount. We heard serious concerns about injuries, fatalities and systemic welfare issues that regulation could never fully resolve. At the same time, we must acknowledge the potential impact on those whose livelihoods depend on the sport and this has not yet been fully assessed.
“The Committee believes the Welsh Government should have taken a more rigorous, evidence-led approach when introducing legislation.”
The report does not take a definitive position on the general principles of the Bill, reflecting the contested nature of the evidence and the complexity of the issues. It calls on the Welsh Government to:
- Undertake a comprehensive assessment of the economic and social impacts before the Bill is brought into force.
- Enable statutory guidance to be issued on enforcement and ensure adequate resources for local authorities.
- Monitor potential unintended consequences, including cross-border racing and impacts on rehoming capacity.
The Committee also says the Welsh Government should explain clearly how and when it uses moral arguments in making laws and apply them consistently across similar issues.
The Committee has looked at the general principles of the Bill and is publishing its report to help Members of the Senedd decide if the Bill should go forward. If the Bill progresses, detailed changes to the Bill happen later at Stage 2.