North Wales MS Mark Isherwood raised serious questions in the Senedd this week over the Welsh Government's decision to pursue a ban on greyhound racing following revelations that Ministers proceeded with plans for a ban despite official advice warning that the evidence base was inadequate.
Greyhound racing is to be banned in Wales after Senedd Members voted in favour of a ban in the Senedd on Tuesday.
However, speaking before the vote, in the Debate on Stage 4 of the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill, Mr Isherwood stressed that Ministerial advice, dated February 15th 2025, and issued just one day before the decision to pursue a ban was announced, explicitly stated that there was a lack of comprehensive evidence to justify such action on welfare grounds.
He said:
"Prior to it being reported by the BBC, I was also copied in on the Ministerial Advice sent to the Deputy First Minister on 17th February 2025, which I'm told was one day before the decision to ban greyhound racing was announced. The Ministerial Advice included, quote:
'Committing to a phased ban, would suggest that we have evidence supporting the need for a ban on welfare grounds.
'However, we lack this evidence without a comprehensive review of welfare standards and perceived issues.
'We have not consulted on imposing a phased ban, nor the extent of racing greyhound ownership, breeding, training and racing practices in Wales.
'We may need to undertake such an exercise in order to gain more data to support the development of policy and appropriate measures to achieve a phased ban.
'Based on the evidence to hand, including the recent consultation and analysis’, and I'm going to repeat what we've just heard, 'officials believe the option which offers the best balance of welfare gains is to license those who own and race greyhounds to help ensure the whole-life welfare of dogs is not compromised.
'This option would allow for further consideration of a ban in future years, in collecting the evidence required to reasonably justify, or otherwise.'"
Mr Isherwood added:
"I trust that Ministerial Advice, as appears to be the case here, is well evidenced and well researched. And I trust that, in most instances, although they can't tell us, Ministers accept the advice they receive, in full, or in part.
"And further, according to the Document, the advice was agreed by Wales's Chief Veterinary Officer, and officials warned of a ‘democratic deficit’ if Ministers went ahead.
"I suggest that such advice, and the need for further evidence over time within that advice, should have been heeded.
"However, the conclusions within the Ministerial Advice appear to contradict claims by the Deputy First Minister over the course of the Bill process that there was appropriate evidence to pursue a ban. For example, at a Culture Committee hearing on 6th November last year, the Minister said, 'Actually, we have very, very robust evidence of why there's a need for this legislation’.
"This does not align with the Ministerial Advice given ahead of the decision to pursue a ban. No Parliament should be asked to vote on legislation in such circumstances."
