The first draft of the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill

The first draft of the bill from the Senedd 

A first draft from Huw Irranca-Davies was released yesterday on banning greyhound racing in Wales. 

It read:

"I am pleased to announce that today I am publishing a draft of the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill. 

"The Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill makes it an offence to operate a stadium or similar venue in Wales and use it, or knowingly permit it to be used, for greyhound racing. The Bill also makes it an offence to be involved in organising greyhound racing in Wales. 

"'Greyhound racing' is defined as setting greyhounds to run around a track in pursuit of a lure activated by mechanical means and includes timing or training a greyhound as it runs around a track. The draft Bill can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.wales/prohibition-greyhound-racing-wales-bill. 

"The aim of publishing a draft of the Bill today is to give Senedd Members and interested stakeholders an opportunity to see the proposed scope and direction of the Bill before its formal introduction in the autumn. It is still subject to the Llywydd’s determination and so not published for further consultation at this stage. Work continues on the preparation of the Bill and there are likely to be changes before it is introduced to the Senedd. This is not therefore a final version.

"I look forward to working with Senedd Members on the provisions of the Bill during scrutiny after the Bill is introduced in the autumn.

"This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so."

Questions being asked would be a good idea from our side of things - [email protected]

Reply from the GBGB

Mark Bird, CEO of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, said:

“This latest statement from the Deputy First Minister and draft Bill, published during Senedd recess, is yet another indication that the Welsh Government is determined to rush through a ban on greyhound racing – no matter the cost.

“The Implementation Group has not reported on its work, nor has any Impact Assessment been published.

“It is hard to fathom how Welsh Ministers and officials can think that this draft Bill should be a priority for the Welsh Senedd and deemed more important than the lives, homes, incomes and health of the Welsh people.”