Cyfarfod y Grŵp Gweithredu'r Gwaharddiad ar Rasio Milgwn: 15 Medi 2025

Members present

Dr Emily Blackwell (Chair): Senior Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Bristol Vet School
Katie Bennison: Valley Greyhound Stadium 
Scott Fryer: Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
Dr Sam Gaines: RSPCA & Cut the Chase Coalition 
Vanessa Waddon: Hope Rescue & Cut the Chase Coalition 
Richard Brankley: SIS Ltd representative
Gareth Walters: Welsh Local Government Association 
Dr Sarah Carr: Veterinary surgeon (online)

Apologies

Professor Tim Parkin: Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 
Allan Dallimore: Caerphilly County Borough Council

Secretariat 

Wendy Westlake (WW): Welsh Government Official
Caitlin Doyle (CD): Welsh Government Official 

Welsh Government observing/supporting

James Morris (JM): Head of Animal Health & Welfare Policy
Jackie Price (JP): Bill Manager
Kate Frawley (KF): Senior Policy Manager

1. Dr Emily Blackwell welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Professor Tim Parkin and Allan Dallimore have sent in their apologies.
3. James Morris, Head of Animal Health and Welfare in the Welsh Government attended the meeting in an observer capacity alongside his Welsh Government colleagues.
4. As required from an in-person meeting, safety protocols in the Cathays Park office were outlined.

5. Minutes from the last meeting were reviewed and approved. No amendments were required.
6. All action points from the previous meeting were completed.

7. There was in depth discussion on key priorities that have been previously raised by Group members, including:
   1. welfare of dogs
   2. enforcement
   3. financial impact on local area
   4. social impact on local area
   5. cultural impact on local area
   6. effect of a closure of the site on employed staff and the racing community
8. Richard Brankley provided an estimate of employment figures and value of the current media contract at £15million over the next five years, which will continue on a rolling basis when this timescale elapses.
   1. Dr Sam Gaines and Vanessa Waddon committed to provide further information on the rehoming sector
   2. Rescue centres are keen for female dogs to remain on medication to suppress oestrus to allow them to be spayed and rehomed more quickly, to ensure they do not come into season immediately when handed over.
9. Dr Sarah Carr shared there is potential for this on a case-by-case basis depending on the individual organisation. However, there is an absence of evidence of what effect long-term season suppression has on greyhound welfare. Katie Bennison acknowledged that season suppression by trainers is now less common due to increased costs and supply chain issues, especially post-Covid.
   1. The Chair asked for evidence to support all information, so it could be verified for inclusion in any future report. It was agreed that more information is needed on the priorities raised above and will be submitted by the relevant Group members. Action 1

10. Dr Blackwell will draw up a draft timeline together detailing the Group’s work and will share with the rest of the group for discussion. Action 2
11. The report will consider all issues, as well as consider where there isn’t a consensus if a middle ground can be achieved. It was made clear that all views would be captured.
12. Scott Fryer will share GBGB and ACDH standards with the Group for comparison. Action 3
13. Richard Brankley asked for further clarification surrounding the Senedd legislative process. Wendy Westlake shared the link to the process which was circulated to the Group during the first meeting.

14. Richard Brankley and Dr Sam Gaines voiced concerns over the narrow scope of the draft Bill.
15. Dr Gaines and Vanessa Waddon stated it does not go far enough and would like keeping and breeding for racing purposes included. They shared that in other countries who have introduced a ban, such as New Zealand, there is no set standard for policing illegal racing, often being left to local authorities or charities to monitor.
16. Katie Bennison and Richard Brankley shared their concerns that the impact of this would be even greater, and would affect businesses across the border, not just in Wales.
17. There was concern around the wording of the draft Bill from Richard Brankley and Katie Bennison. Further clarification around what ‘the organisation of greyhound racing’ covers was requested. Welsh Government officials advised that the Explanatory Memorandum will be made available in due course, which should answer the concerns raised.
18. It was acknowledged that any unintended consequences must be considered by the Group.

19. There was concern around the date displayed on the draft Bill online.
    WW confirmed that this is a software glitch as confirmed by lawyers.
20. Valley Greyhounds have received a letter from the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee, who will scrutinise the Bill, requesting them to provide evidence at a future committee scrutiny session. Katie Bennison stated that there isn’t much time to enable them to fully prepare their evidence.
21. JP stated that the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs has suggested he would be prepared to visit the Valley Stadium at some point in future and further suggested that some of the IG members would attend a site visit. Katie Bennison offered to send through race dates at Valley Stadium in order to assist with arranging a visit. Action 4
22. CD confirmed the next meeting is scheduled for 16 October and will take place online.

Action 1

Allocated to all.

All to submit requested evidence onto the Priorities document on Objective Connect.

Action 2

Allocated to Dr Emily Blackwell.

Dr Blackwell to draw a draft timeline together detailing the Group’s work to share with the Group.

Action 3

Allocated to Scott Fryer.

Scott to share GBGB and ACDH standards with the Group.

Action 4

Allocated to Katie Bennison.

Katie to send through potential meeting dates to WG officials.