Greyhound racing ban in Wales faces legal challenge

Valley Stadium in Ystrad Mynach is the only greyhound track in Wales

Plans to ban greyhound racing in Wales could be stopped in the High Court after permission was given for a legal challenge.

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has accused Welsh government ministers of not following the correct process when announcing the ban, and says it has now won permission to seek a judicial review.

Ministers confirmed the matter will proceed to a "full hearing".

The Welsh government plans to wind down the sport in Wales by 2030, which would close the country's last remaining greyhound track, and legislation to outlaw it is currently being considered by the Senedd.

Those who back a ban say racing is dangerous for the dogs involved.

But industry body GBGB said the proposal had "nothing to do with greyhound welfare and everything to do with pressure from the extreme animal rights movement".

Its chief executive Mark Bird said: "The court's decision to grant permission for our claim to proceed to the next stage is highly encouraging.

"As we have repeatedly stated, it is clear the Welsh government did not follow the correct process when announcing a ban and we are pleased to now have the opportunity to set out our case at the full hearing.

"This is a significant step forward which would not have been possible without the support and backing of stakeholders across the sport."

Malcolm Tams, general manager of Wales' only track, Valley Greyhound in Ystrad Mynach, said: "Nothing has been properly done.

"I want the truth to come out, and we are hoping a judge will listen to the truth and reprimand the ministers for putting it forward."

The UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said there are "absolutely no plans" to extend a greyhound racing ban to the rest of the United Kingdom, saying she appreciates the "joy" the sport brings as well as its "economic contribution".

The idea was included in an animal welfare consultation in 2023 and 2024, when the Welsh government asked for views and evidence for or against a phased ban.

It resurfaced during the process to agree the Welsh government's spending plans, in February.

Ministers later confirmed that it was part of an agreement with Jane Dodds, the only Welsh Liberal Democrat in the Senedd, to get her to agree the spending plans

A Welsh government spokesman said: "We have received notice for the claim to proceed to a full hearing."