A legal challenge against plans to ban greyhound racing in Wales has been unsuccessful, clearing the way for the legislation to proceed.
The High Court in Wales had been asked to review the decision to introduce the ban, following objections from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB). The organisation argued that the process behind the legislation was flawed and lacked sufficient consultation.
However, the court has now rejected the challenge, allowing the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill to move forward as planned.
The bill, passed by the Welsh Senedd on 17 March, will make it an offence to organise greyhound racing or operate a stadium used for the sport. A transition period is in place, with the ban expected to come into force between 1 April 2027 and 1 April 2030.
“GBGB is exploring every option available to us to continue to fight this legislation”
GBGB had opposed the legislation, maintaining that a regulated industry could provide appropriate welfare standards.
In the ruling, Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Chamberlain said, “Given that the bill is now validly before the Senedd, and especially in circumstances where it has completed its legislative stages, the determination of a claim alleging a procedural flaw at the pre-legislative stage would, in our judgment, be an impermissible interference with the proceedings of the Senedd and contrary to the constitutional separation of powers.”
Mark Bird, CEO of GBGB, said that the judgement “appears to come down to arguments of a purely academic nature”.
He added, “GBGB is exploring every option available to us to continue to fight this legislation, including our right to Appeal, and hope at the very least that the next Government in Cardiff Bay do the right thing and repeal this flawed legislation.”
“Welsh government action followed tens of thousands of people signing a petition supporting the phasing out of greyhound racing”
The Cut the Chase coalition – a group which includes Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Hope Rescue, and RSPCA Cymru – commented, “Welsh government action followed tens of thousands of people signing a petition supporting the phasing out of greyhound racing.
“A clear majority of Senedd Members then voted in favour of the legislation this week, and clearly this judgment is the right result.”
