Cyfarfod y Grŵp Gweithredu'r Gwaharddiad ar Rasio Milgwn: 29 Ionawr 2026

Members present

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

Secretariat 

Caitlin Doyle – Welsh Government Official

Welsh Government support

Wendy Westlake - Deputy Bill Manager

1.1 Dr Emily Blackwell welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1.2 Professor Tim Parkin, Allan Dallimore and Sarah Carr sent their apologies.

2.1 Minutes from the November and December meetings were reviewed during this meeting. December’s meeting was a continuation of November’s meeting due to time constraints.

2.2 No amendments were required to either set of minutes.

2.3 Action points from both meetings were reviewed:

November 

Action 1: ongoing

Carried forward as Action 1. This is a recurring action point for the Group Priorities document to be kept updated.

Action 2: complete

Action 3: complete

Action 4: complete

Complete as of 29/01/26.

Action 5: complete

Action 6: complete

Action 7: complete

Katie Bennison has circulated to staff at Valley on Welsh Government’s behalf.

Action 8: complete

Action 9: ongoing 

Visit dates will be picked up during this meeting.

December 

Action 1: complete

Action 2: complete

Questions were issued and a response has been received.

Action 3: ongoing

Scott Fryer has had discussion with the Welsh Greyhound Partnership to see if there are any existing agreements.

Action 4: not complete

This will be discussed later in the meeting, as may not be required.

Action 5: outstanding

Carried forward as Action 2. Considerations of future uses of the site at Valley will be added to a future agenda.

Action 6: outstanding

An Implementation Group visit to Valley will be discussed later in the meeting.

Social/Cultural impact

3.1 No participants had anything to raise under this point during this meeting.

Economic impact

3.2 Katie Bennison shared that no discussions have been held on possible future use of the site – this is unlikely to be considered until the certainty of the ban being enacted.

3.3 Dr Blackwell requested this point be added for discussion at a future meeting – Action point 2 addresses this.

3.4 Wendy Westlake shared information about commissioning an external economic impact assessment. Due to the upcoming elections and the related pre-election period and ensuring all due diligence procedures are followed, it will not be possible to commission this before the Bill receives Royal Assent if it is passed by the Senedd.

3.5 It was suggested that the potential bid could be revisited post-election, when the Cabinet has been announced. The bid would be subject to full WG scrutiny to ensure its value for money and the benefits it would provide.

3.6 Richard Brankley expressed his disappointment about the delay in this being actioned. He believes this should be carried out as soon as practically possible.

3.7 It was noted that if Welsh Government were to fund any impact assessment, the bid would have to be conducted through Welsh Government procurement processes.

3.8 Dr Blackwell asked Richard Brankley to draw up a rationale for the impact assessment, including details about what objectives could be achieved from such an assessment, and how the group would use the information.

Welfare of greyhounds

3.9 Dr Blackwell asked Katie Bennison for an update about the completion of the trainers’ survey. Katie shared that some trainers are waiting to see what happens with the progress of the Bill before filling out the survey. 

3.10 Katie stated that she will ask some of the office staff at Valley to sit with trainers who feel they may need additional support to complete the survey. She asked if a printable copy could be shared with her so she can share this with office staff if trainers would prefer a printed version.

3.11 Dr Blackwell shared that a letter has been received from GBGB in response to questions the Implementation Group asked them.

3.12 In their response, GBGB stated that the £420 will continue to only be made available to those organisations who are part of the Greyhound Retirement Scheme (GRS) and do not actively support a ban on greyhound racing.

3.13 GBGB stated that they anticipate that there will be relatively small numbers of greyhounds needing to be homed in the event of a ban and that rehoming of these dogs could be facilitated through the existing approved GRS network of homing centres.

3.14 GBGB also confirmed that anyone found to be racing dogs in Wales following the ban would have their licence to race revoked.

3.15 Dr Blackwell asked if the Group could consider if they have any further questions to ask GBGB.

Action 3 – Dr Blackwell to share a printable copy of the trainers’ survey with Katie.

Enforcement

3.16 Richard Brankley shared, that in his opinion, there has been an increase in illegal coursing, and that a large displacement of greyhounds in one area is likely to lead to a further increase. Vanessa Waddon stated in response that if greyhounds are rehomed into responsible homes through official avenues this risk could be minimised.

4.1 Dr Blackwell thanked the Group for their comments on the draft report.

4.2 A recommendation in the report from rehoming organisations suggests that the ban should be implemented over a 12-month period. A vote to the group was offered, however, this was declined. A conclusion was drawn that an agreement was not reached on this due to differing opinions between rehoming organisations and the racing industry; the IG’s report will state that there has not been consensus on this issue.

4.3 Dr Blackwell intends sharing the report with Welsh Government officials on Thursday 12^th February and asked for any final comments prior to that date.

Action 4 – Dr Blackwell to share report with WG officials.

5.1 Wendy Westlake shared an update on the pre-election period before the Senedd elections in May. This period restricts the work Senedd Ministers and officials can carry out. It was agreed that the planned meeting on 26^th March will be the final meeting of the Implementation Group, with meetings resuming after a Cabinet has been formed.

5.2 Caitlin Doyle shared that Stage 3 of the Bill process has started, with Stage 3 proceedings due to take place in early Spring.

5.3 There is still interest for a group visit to Valley Greyhound Stadium. Due to bereavement over the Christmas period, visit planning was put on hold. Caitlin Doyle asked if Katie Bennison would be able to send over potential dates for a group visit now funeral arrangements have taken place.

Action 5 – Katie Bennison to send dates for a visit to Caitlin.

5.4 The next meeting is due to take place on 26^th February.

Action 1

Allocated to all

All to update Group Priorities document as required.

Action 2    

Allocated to Caitlin Doyle   

Add future uses of site at Valley to next agenda.

Action 3

Allocated to Dr Blackwell

Dr Blackwell to share a printable copy of the trainers’ survey with Katie.

Action 4

Allocated to Dr Blackwell

Dr Blackwell to share report with WG officials.

Action 5

Allocated to Katie Bennison

Katie Bennison to send dates for a visit to Caitlin.