4. Will the Minister make a statement on the future of the Valley Greyhound stadium? OQ58270

Thank you. The programme for government and our animal welfare plan include a commitment to bring forward a national model for the licensing of animal welfare activities in Wales. It is my intention to consider greyhound racing as part of the animal exhibits consultation on a revised licensing scheme.

Thank you very much for that response, Minister. I understand that Caerphilly council has decided to not continue with the existing number of animal welfare inspections at Valley stadium. Of the 10 planned inspections, six have been completed, but the remaining four are unlikely to be carried out. Data from Hope Rescue suggests that many dogs are injured at the track, and there are ongoing concerns about injuries, the welfare of the dogs and that vets are not always present during races, which, as I'm sure you would appreciate, puts the dogs at huge risk. Could I seek assurances from you that you are working with Caerphilly council to ensure that the welfare inspections at Valley, such as those conducted under the partnership delivery plan, will continue to be carried out, and, more specifically, will you work with the council and the racetrack to ensure the presence of vets at all races at the stadium? Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Diolch, Jane Dodds. You can absolutely be assured that I will be continuing to put pressure on Caerphilly County Borough Council. As you know, I wrote to the new owner of the racing track back in March. I still haven't had the courtesy of a response, even though I've chased up the letter too, and I met with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain also to see what further we can do. Obviously, now, Caerphilly County Borough Council has, as you said, had at least six inspections at the stadium, a vet was always present, and it's really important that those inspections continue and a vet is present. So, I've asked my officials to work closely with the council to make sure that it continues, and I'll be very happy to update Members.

Minister, nobody is more concerned about the welfare of greyhounds than the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. The board constantly strives to minimise the possibility of injury to greyhounds by funding track improvements, improvements at kennels and ensuring that independent veterinary surgeons are present at all GBGB tracks to check the health and well-being of greyhounds before and after racing. Do you agree, Minister, that the welfare of greyhounds is best served by having properly regulated racing as a controlled spectator sport, rather than forcing it underground and risking illegal and dangerous racing, which would only increase the number of injuries to greyhounds? Thank you.

Well, I certainly don't want to see any illegal racing. You'll be aware we've only got the one track here in Wales, and that's the one that Jane Dodds asked the original question about. My concern is about the number of greyhounds that are injured. I've seen some horrific injuries, and the track seems to pride itself on having the most difficult bend in the country. That seems to be a matter of pride to them, and it's just completely beyond my comprehension.

To build on Jane's question, and it's a question that I'm sure the Minister expects every time she sees a question on greyhounds or if there's any opportunity that I can ever link greyhounds to a supplementary question, I was wondering if the Minister is now in a position to provide an update on including greyhound racing as part of the future licensing scheme as set out in the animal welfare plan. I imagine the Minister, like me, is in close contact with many animal welfare charities across Wales, and this is a question they continuously raise with me. I'd also be keen to establish the Government's thinking on the petition submitted by Hope Rescue, though I accept that the Petitions Committee report has yet to be released.

Yes, I certainly do, when Jane Dodd asks a question, I expect one off you, and vice versa, on this really important issue. I'm grateful to you for raising it, as I'm sure many greyhounds are too. I thought the event that you had with Hope Rescue in the Senedd, Paws in the Bay, was fantastic and it was great to talk to people who were owners of greyhounds, like Jane Dodds, who'd rescued greyhounds. It certainly helps me with my thinking, and officials too.

It is absolutely part of our welfare plan. I can't give you a further update. As you know, it's a five-year plan and we will be bringing it through as we go through this term of Government. I am aware, obviously, of the Petitions Committee report that they're looking at. I'd be very surprised if we don't have a debate in this Chamber as a consequence of it, and I very much would welcome that.