Cyfarfod y Grŵp Gweithredu'r Gwaharddiad ar Rasio Milgwn: 13 Awst 2025

Members

• Dr Emily Blackwell (Chair): Senior Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Bristol Vet School
• Katie Bennison: Valley Greyhounds representative
• Scott Fryer: Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
• Dr Sam Gaines: RSPCA & Cut the Chase Coalition representative
• Vanessa Waddon: Hope Rescue & Cut the Chase Coalition representative
• Professor Tim Parkin: Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons representative
• Allan Dallimore: Caerphilly County Borough Council representative
• Richard Brankley: SIS Ltd representative

Apologies

• Dr Sarah Carr: Veterinary surgeon
• Gareth Walters: Welsh Local Government Association representative

Secretariat 

• Jackie Price: Welsh Government Official
• Wendy Westlake: Welsh Government Official
• Caitlin Doyle: Welsh Government Official

1. Dr Emily Blackwell welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Jackie Price shared Gareth Walters’ apologies with the Group.
3. Dr Sarah Carr was unable to join the meeting.

4. Dr Blackwell welcomed three new members to the Group: Professor Tim Parkin, Allan Dallimore and Richard Brankley.
5. It was highlighted that new members could find out which organisations other members of the Group are representing from the notes of the 11 July meeting.

6. Dr Blackwell asked if everyone had viewed the notes from the previous meeting on 11 July.
7. Katie Bennison asked for an amendment to include the statement that the Deputy First Minister has been invited to visit the Valley Greyhound Stadium in Ystrad Mynach and a further point about an impact assessment being carried out before the ban comes into place.

Action: Caitlin Doyle to add these points to the 11 July meeting notes.

8. Dr Blackwell reminded everyone of the actions points from the last meeting and confirmed these have all been completed.
9. Professor Tim Parkin had not received an invitation to the Group workspace on Objective Connect.

Action: Professor Parkin to be added to the Objective Connect workspace.

10. No other amendments were suggested by the Group.

11. No additional amendments were proposed to the Terms of Reference.
12. Richard Brankley asked if some aspects of the Terms of Reference could be clarified further such as what the ban will cover. Dr Blackwell stated that there will be more clarity when the draft Bill is published in due course.

13. A priorities document was agreed to be established by the Group at the previous meeting, which is intended to be a working document that can be contributed to throughout the lifetime of the Implementation Group. This covers topics such as:
    • welfare of dogs
    • enforcement issues
    • financial impact on local area
    • social impact on local area
    • cultural impact
14. Each topic was discussed in detail. Dr Blackwell asked if Group members could gather information on:
    • number of greyhounds who are regularly raced at Valley Greyhound Stadium, and number of trainers who are affiliated with the track
    • numbers of greyhounds that have or will move to trainers outside Wales once the ban comes into place
    • the cost of housing for the average 31-to-35-day stay of a greyhound in kennels, and how the GBGB bond could support this
    • the number of greyhounds that rehoming organisations could take in and over what period
    • if Association of Dogs and Cats Homes members could be surveyed about rehoming timelines for greyhounds
    • information from trainers about season suppression in female greyhounds, and the associated impacts this may have when rehomed
    • vet and food costs of trainers at the Valley Greyhound Stadium
    • financial implications for all concerned, i.e. food suppliers
    • information on the contract between SIS Ltd and Valley Greyhound Stadium
    • information on any current processes GBGB may have in place for track closures, along with compensation data
    • information on the employment structure at Valley Greyhound Stadium

Action: All members to add data under their relevant action points to the shared workspace on Objective Connect.

15. Allan Dallimore requested a visit to the Valley Greyhound Stadium. Katie will organise this.
16. No other business was raised.

17. A reminder was provided about the next meeting, which will take place at the Welsh Government office in Cardiff on 15 September. Further information will be sent in due course.
18. Professor Parkin sends his apologies for the next meeting but asked if future meeting dates have been planned. These will be discussed and shared with the Group.

Action: Caitlin to send details of future meetings to the Group.