Greyhound racing to be banned by 2030 in Wales underneath plans

The Welsh authorities intends to ban greyhound racing between 2027 and 2030, in accordance with newly launched plans.

Ministers have printed a draft legislation which might make it an offence to be an operator of a observe for the game.

Individuals would even be banned from organising the game.

Welsh authorities ministers agreed to ban the game as a part of a deal with the Welsh Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds to go their spending plans earlier this yr.

Wales solely has one dog-racing observe: the Valley stadium in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly county.

In a press release on Thursday Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies mentioned he was publishing the legislation to offer Senedd politicians “and interested stakeholders an opportunity to see the proposed scope and direction of the bill”.

He mentioned it could be formally introducing the invoice to the Senedd within the autumn, the place it could should be handed by politicians earlier than it turns into legislation, and there are prone to be modifications earlier than then.

Advocates of a ban say the game is harmful and causes harm to the canines concerned.

The proposals adopted a authorities session, cross-party calls to ban the game and a petition attracting 35,000 signatures.

Previously the Greyhound Board of Great Britain mentioned the ban had “nothing to do with greyhound welfare and everything to do with pressure from the extreme animal rights movement”.

The legislation says the ban couldn’t come into impact prior to 1 April 2027, and no later than 1 April 2030.

BBC Wales was informed the three-year window was to make sure the trade might wind down whereas defending the welfare of greyhounds themselves.

An individual would commit an offence if they’re an operator of a stadium or related venue and knowingly permit it for use for greyhound racing.

Greyhound racing is outlined by setting greyhounds to run round a observe in pursuit of a lure activated by mechanical means.

Dodds mentioned she was glad to see progress with the invoice: “Ultimately, this was always about putting dogs’ safety and wellbeing before party politics.”