Greyhound Racing Ban Implementation Group meeting: 23 September 2026

Members present

Dr Emily Blackwell (Chair) – Associate Professor in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Bristol Veterinary School
Katie Bennison – Valley Greyhound Stadium 
Vanessa Waddon – Hope Rescue & Cut the Chase Coalition 
Gareth Walters – Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA)
Richard Brankley – SIS Ltd representative
Dr Sam Gaines – RSPCA & Cut the Chase Coalition
Tiffany Blackett – Greyhound Board of Great Britain

Guest speaker

Anna Jeffery - Greyhound Trainer at Valley Greyhound Stadium

Secretariat 

Caitlin Doyle: Welsh Government Official

Welsh Government support

James Morris - Head of Animal Health & Welfare
Tom Henderson - Head of Animal Welfare Policy

Observer

Louise Greenhouse - Animal Welfare Policy Manager

1.1 Dr Blackwell welcomed attendees to the meeting.

1.2 Apologies were received from Sarah Carr, Professor Tim Parkin and Allan Dallimore.

1.3 Dr Blackwell notified the Group that Scott Fryer of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has decided to step down from the Group. Scott was formally thanked for his contribution, particularly his work on the development of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

1.4 A proposal was made to invite Alain Thomas of Greyhound Rescue Wales to the Group as a replacement member, which was agreed.

Action 1 – Secretariat to formally invite Alain Thomas to the Group.

1.5 Dr Blackwell welcomed Anna Jeffery to the meeting to speak about the effects the ban will have on her and other trainers at Valley Greyhound Stadium.

2.1 Previous meeting minutes were agreed, subject to an amendment regarding meeting transcripts being deleted after meetings. Action 2 – Secretariat to add insert into previous meeting minutes about deletion of transcripts.
2.2 Action points were reviewed:

August

Action 1: complete

Secretariat to invite Anna Jeffery to the September meeting. 

Action 2: complete

Scott Fryer to prepare a list of MoU signatories.

Action 3: carried forward to the next meeting

Welsh Government officials to finalise and circulate the updated Terms of Reference to Group members prior to the next meeting.

3.1 The Chair is drafting the Group’s next report, with the aim of submitting recommendations to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability by late October. 

3.2 A draft implementation timeline/Gantt chart has been shared with Group members for comment via Objective Connect. Members were asked to review timings and identify any missing milestones.

Action 3 – Group members to review timeline/Gantt chart prior to the next meeting on 19 October.

3.3 Concerns were raised that the Gantt chart could imply a predetermined implementation date despite no consensus on a coming into force date within the group. The Gantt chart will be amended to avoid this interpretation.

3.4 Welsh Government officials confirmed that the Minister is seeking recommendations on an implementation date, including evidence and rationale from all perspectives so that he can form his final decision.

4.1 Dr Blackwell thanked Anna Jeffery for joining the meeting to speak to the Group.

4.2 Anna Jeffrey described greyhound racing as her sole income source and that closure of Valley Greyhound Stadium would have a significant financial and personal impact on her and her family.

4.3 She anticipates some of the dogs at Valley Greyhound Stadium being rehomed, and some dogs continuing to race in England.

4.4 She said she would potentially continue as a trainer by travelling to English tracks, although this would involve substantial logistical and financial challenges. 

4.5 Anna highlighted that many trainers still hope the ban may not ultimately take effect and are therefore not yet making concrete plans. This was identified as a potential barrier to implementation planning, and underlines the importance of recommending a coming into force date.

Welfare and Implementation Discussions

5.1 Welfare organisations raised concerns about the increasing numbers of racing dogs at Valley Greyhound Stadium and the need to avoid growth in the racing population prior to implementation.

5.2 They highlighted lessons from New Zealand and Tasmania, where measures have been introduced to cap or reduce racing populations ahead of closures.

5.3 Industry representatives argued that a wind-down period could significantly affect trainer income, and businesses cannot realistically reduce dog numbers without financial consequences.

5.4 Katie Bennison and Richard Brankley were asked to provide some evidence to support these claims.

Action 4 – Valley Greyhound Stadium and SIS Ltd representatives to provide evidence for their rationale for prolonging track closure.

5.5 Establishing a firm implementation date is the most important factor in enabling planning. 

5.6 There is clear disagreement between animal welfare and racing industry representatives regarding whether a managed reduction of racing activity should occur before implementation and the welfare implications of dogs continuing to race elsewhere in England after closure of Valley Greyhound Stadium.

Future of site discussions

5.7 The track owners are continuing to seek planning advice regarding future use of the site. 

5.8 A nearby planning proposal for a McDonald's development may improve future development options for the site.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

5.9 Proposed signatories include: 

• Welsh Government
• Welsh Greyhound Partnership members
• Valley Greyhound Stadium trainers
• Valley Greyhound Stadium owner
• GBGB
• GBGB-approved homing organisations
• Greyhound Trust South West Wales

5.10 Discussion focused on ensuring all rehomed greyhounds are accompanied by a completed Greyhound Homing Information Form. Tiffany Blackett will share a copy of the approved GBGB form with the Secretariat for uploading to Objective Connect.

Action 5 – Tiffany Blackett to share copy of rehoming form with Secretariat.

5.11 Tiffany Blackett asked Emily Blackwell to share the GBGB rehoming guidance referenced during the meeting. This will enable Tiffany to seek confirmation from the GBGB Board that the guidance may be used as the basis for developing the Implementation Group’s guidance.

Action 6 – Dr Blackwell to share rehoming advice with Tiffany Blackwell.

6.1 These will be circulated prior to the next meeting. Group members have been asked to consider the updated draft Terms of Reference (ToRs) once received.

Action 7 – Secretariat to circulate updated draft ToRs for Group consideration at the next meeting.

7.1 Future meeting dates were confirmed as 19 October, 18 November and 9 December.
7.2 No further business was raised.

Action 1 

Allocated to Secretariat

Secretariat to formally invite Alain Thomas to the Group.

Action 2 

Allocated to Secretariat

Secretariat to add insert into previous meeting minutes about deletion of transcripts.

Action 3 

Allocated to All

Group members to review timeline/Gantt chart prior to the next meeting on 19 October.

Action 4 

Allocated to Katie Bennison and Richard Brankley

Valley Greyhound Stadium and SIS Ltd representatives to provide evidence for their rationale for prolonging track closure.

Action 5 

Allocated to Tiffany Blackett

Tiffany Blackett to share copy of rehoming form with Secretariat.

Action 6 

Allocated to Dr Blackwell

Dr Blackwell to share rehoming advice with Tiffany Blackett.

Action 7 

Allocated to Secretariat

Secretariat to circulate updated draft ToRs for Group consideration at the next meeting.