GBGB statement on Senedd Members debate on controversial Wales ban
Bird slams process as going from "dodgy backroom deal to indefensible policy sham"
Greyhound racing buoyed by "tremendous support" and will continue to fight proposed ban through Judicial Review
FOLLOWING today's Stage One debate on the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill, GBGB CEO Mark Bird has released the following statement.
He said: “This entire process shows the Welsh Senedd in the worst possible light. We have gone from a dodgy backroom deal to an indefensible policy sham which ignores the condemnation and objections that two separate cross-party Committees have rightly shown.
“Voters in Wales will look long and hard on those Senedd members who have voted in favour of proceeding with legislation that their own overseeing committees have concluded is deeply flawed.
“This is neither good government nor good politics. This Bill will do nothing to serve the priorities of the Welsh public, economy or animal welfare. Rather every instance of animal use in Wales – from horseracing to livestock farming – should prepare to be the next target of the animal rights movement and its political lackies.
"What this debate shows is that what is happening to greyhound racing today can very easily happen to farming, horse ownership and pet ownership tomorrow when the animal rights argument takes control of the political agenda. Wales is sleepwalking into the arms an animal rights future that no one has voted for and which ignores common sense, factual evidence and proper process.
“Whatever your view on greyhound racing, watching politicians ignore the warnings from their own colleagues that this is an ill-considered, badly-drafted and incompetent Bill does nothing to build confidence in our elected politicians.
“We have been buoyed by the tremendous amount of support we have been receiving from across the political divide in opposition to this flawed Bill. We will continue to fight this through its committee stages and through a Judicial Review.”
