Administrative Court gives permission for legal challenge over decision by Welsh Government to ban greyhound racing

Industry body the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) argue that the Welsh Government “did not follow the correct process” when announcing a ban, which they claim would “do nothing for animal welfare”, and in fact increase the risk of “low-welfare activities”.

The Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill was introduced to the Senedd in September this year.

If passed, it will create two new offences: operating a stadium for greyhound racing and organising a greyhound race anywhere in Wales. Under the plans, the country's last remaining greyhound track would face closure.

In 2023, Valley Greyhound Stadium became licensed by the GBGB.

The GBGB said: “Since the track became regulated, everyone who attends the Valley can now do so with the confidence that the greyhounds are well looked after both at and away from the stadium, with strong GBGB oversight in place to ensure these high standards.”

It added: “Those involved in greyhound racing know that a ban would do nothing for animal welfare, in fact raising the risks of low-welfare activities as we have seen recently with the rise in illegal coursing in South Wales. Instead, this legislation has been brought forward to appease a minority animal rights lobby with no consideration of the impacts on the local community or economy which Valley Stadium serves.”

This month, the group confirmed that permission has been granted for their claim to proceed to a full substantive hearing. 

Christian Howells of 30 Park Place is instructed by Richard Bush and Russell Williamson of Bird & Bird on behalf of the GBGB.

The set said the claim raises a “novel point” as to whether the court can grant a remedy that would interfere with the consideration of primary legislation by the Senedd, following the introduction of the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill after the commencement of the claim.  

30 Park Place said: “The Court will consider the effect of what the Supreme Court said about challenges to primary legislation of the devolved legislatures in AXA General Insurance Ltd and others v HM Advocate [2011] UKSC 46, [2012] 1 AC 868 and how it applies to the circumstances of the challenge to the ban.”

GBGB CEO 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. We remain grateful to them all as we continue to fight for the future of greyhound racing in Wales and demonstrate how a licensed, well-regulated sport is the only way to safeguard welfare."

The Welsh Government has been approached for comment.

Lottie Winson