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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th December 2023
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Coalition urges Welsh government to ban greyhound racing
There is currently one greyhound racing track in Wales.

The government has launched a 12-week consultation.

A coalition of animal welfare charities has called for the Welsh government to phase out greyhound racing, as it launches a 12-week consultation on animal welfare.

The ‘Cut the Chase’ Coalition, which includes RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Blue Cross, say that this could be an opportunity for Wales to become the first UK home nation to end the activity.

As part of the consultation, which began on 8 December, the Welsh government will seek evidence that will either justify or negate the coalition’s calls for a phased ban in future.

There is currently one greyhound racing track in Wales, which was previously unlicensed. Earlier this year, it was registered under the regulatory body the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB).

However, the coalition believes that industry self-regulation is incompatible with protecting the welfare of greyhounds.

The RSPCA believes that greyhounds are being placed at serious risk of injury and death during races. They quote GBGB statistics that say that 244 greyhounds had died and 4,354 injuries had occurred as a result of greyhound racing in the past year.

A 2022 report found that the majority of Senedd Members on the Welsh Parliament’s Petitions Committee supported a racing ban. This was followed by a public petition, which found over 18,000 people from Wales also supported it.

Unlike in England, Wales currently has no statutory regulations or laws specific to governing greyhound racing.

The Cut the Chase Coalition maintains that phasing out greyhound racing is the only way to prevent related injuries and death.

Dr Samantha Gaines, from the RSPCA, said: “The 'Cut the Chase' coalition believe the science, public opinion and animal welfare considerations all clearly demonstrate that the time has come for the minister for rural affairs in Wales to act - while globally, the prevalence of greyhound racing has been in serious decline.

"Wales needs to seize this opportunity to phase out greyhound racing for good; and deliver a better life for greyhounds."

We have reached out to GBGB for comment.

Image © Shutterstock

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
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NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.