Cyfarfod y Grŵp Gweithredu'r Gwaharddiad ar Rasio Milgwn: 26 Chwefror 2026

Members present

Dr Emily Blackwell (Chair) - Senior Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Bristol Veterinary School
Katie Bennison – Valley Greyhound Stadium 
Scott Fryer – Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
Vanessa Waddon – Hope Rescue & Cut the Chase Coalition 
Gareth Walters – Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA)
Sarah Carr – Independent Vet
Allan Dallimore – Caerphilly County Borough Council
Professor Tim Parkin - Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons representative

Secretariat 

Caitlin Doyle – Welsh Government Official

Welsh Government support

Jackie Price - Head of Greyhound Bill Team

1.1 Dr Emily Blackwell welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1.2 Richard Brankley and Dr Sam Gaines sent their apologies.

2.1 Minutes from the January meeting were reviewed during this meeting. No amendments were required.

2.2 Action points were reviewed:

January

Action 1: ongoing

All to update Group Priorities document as required.

Action 2: completed

Add future uses of site at Valley to next agenda.

Action 3: completed

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

Action 4: completed

Dr Blackwell to share initial report with WG officials.

Action 5: outstanding

Katie Bennison to send dates for a visit to Caitlin.

Social/cultural impact

3.1 Dr Blackwell asked if any further information on this area has arisen since the last meeting. No further information was highlighted.
3.2 Dr Blackwell asked if the group could add any practical solutions to mitigate impacts on these areas to the priorities document.
3.3 Scott Fryer added that the group may not have the expertise to effectively address these issues – Dr Blackwell stated others can be invited to the group as and when this expertise is needed.
3.4 Allan Dallimore asked if these considerations could be included in the rationale for an external economic impact assessment if this were to be taken forward.

Action 1 – Add social and cultural impact considerations to the rationale for an independent economic impact assessment.

Economic impact

3.5 Dr Blackwell thanked Richard Brankley for drawing up a rationale for an independent economic impact assessment (EIA) for the group to consider – she reminded the group that a proposal would need to state exactly what would be achieved by such an assessment, in addition to the information already collated by the implementation group, for the Welsh Government to consider it value for money.
3.6 Action 2 - Dr Blackwell and Allan Dallimore will meet outside of the group to explore potential providers of an EIA.
3.7 Group members made some suggested amendments to the rationale – these were considered by the group during the meeting. Katie Bennison pointed out a key requirement should be that the assessment be carried out by an external organisation so impartial conclusions can be drawn.
3.8 It was highlighted that the assessment should also consider cost benefit analysis, to include potential savings.

Welfare of greyhounds

3.9 Dr Blackwell updated the group that so far only three trainers have completed the trainer’s survey. Katie Bennison has sent out multiple reminders; however, she suggested it may be possible that trainers are waiting to see what happens with the progression of the Bill before completing it. 
3.10 It was suggested that perhaps Dr Blackwell or her student could carry out the survey with trainers over the phone. Katie Bennison will ask trainers if they are willing to talk to researchers over the phone – Action 3.
3.11 Vanessa Waddon shared that from experience with the closure of the Swindon track the rehoming figures the Welsh Greyhound Partnership have provided are a worst-case scenario estimation. 
3.12 Scott Fryer is hopeful to share a first draft of the MOU with the group by COP 27 February.

Enforcement

3.13 The group’s initial report suggests that local authorities have enough resources to be able to enforce a ban.
3.14 Scott Fryer asked if the Welsh Government would write out to local authorities about what the ban covers if it were to come into force. This is usual protocol, but Gareth Walters stated the WLGA could share this more widely when issued.
3.15 No further comments were made.
 

4.1 Dr Blackwell has withdrawn the report from WG as it was not intended to be published when it was first written. However, as the Deputy First Minister has committed to publishing the group’s reports it needs to be reconsidered in this context and resubmitted. Dr Blackwell will do this.
4.2 Jackie Price reminded the group that though it did not state in the group’s Terms of Reference that reports would be published, there is an expectation that any information submitted to Ministers can be requested at any time through Freedom of Information requests. 
4.3 Jackie Price asked if any recommendations made in the report could explicitly state which organisation the recommendation is for to avoid any confusion.
4.4 Action 4 – Dr Blackwell to consider the recommendations and highlight which organisation each is targeted towards. Dr Blackwell also stated that some are merely asking Welsh Government to ‘support’ a recommendation. She will make that clear in the report when it’s re-submitted.

5.1 As discussed during previous meetings, Valley find it difficult to consider what may happen with the site if a ban were to come into force until it is more certain if the Bill is successful.

5.2 Allan Dallimore suggested this may be a key consideration of an external economic assessment due to the site being on a flood plain. He suggested representatives from Valley could sit down with planning officials in CCBC to discuss this further.

The next meeting will take place on 26 March and will be the final meeting prior to the pre-election period. 

5.2 Jackie Price explained what will happen during Stage 3 and Stage 4 proceedings of the bill legislative process. The group also discussed what may happen to the group going forward depending on whether the ban is enacted.

5.3 It was requested if amendments to the Bill and the implications if they are agreed could be shared with the Group and discussed at the next meeting.

Action 5 – Add discussion about amendments/implications to the agenda for the next meeting.

Action 6 – Following Stage 3, share with the group which amendments have been tabled and accepted for consideration by the Group.

Actions log

Action 1

Allocated to Dr Blackwell

Add social and cultural impact considerations to the rationale for an independent economic impact assessment.

Action 2

Allocated to Dr Blackwell/Allan Dallimore

Dr Blackwell and Allan Dallimore to meet outside of the group to explore potential providers of an EIA.

Action 3

Allocated to Katie Bennison

Katie Bennison to ask trainers if they are willing to talk to researchers over the phone.

Action 4

Dr Blackwell

Dr Blackwell to consider the recommendations and highlight who each is targeted towards.

Action 5

Caitlin Doyle

Add discussion about amendments/implications to the agenda for the next meeting.

Action 6

Caitlin Doyle

Following Stage 3, share with the group which amendments have been tabled and accepted for consideration by the Group.