INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE GREYHOUND INDUSTRY IN GREAT BRITAIN

Appendix 1

Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference for the Independent Review were as follows:

• To review the current and future regulation of greyhound racing and to make recommendations as to what changes are needed in respect of regulation at the NGRC and elsewhere.
• To ensure that regulation of greyhound racing is efficient and effective and embraces the principles of modern regulation, namely:
  • Proportionality
  • Accountability
  • Consistency
  • Targeting
  • Transparency
• There shall be no impediment to the Chairman commenting on other matters relevant to regulation issues.

Appendix 2

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The greyhound racing industry should remain self-regulated providing it adopts the proposed reforms.




THE NEW GOVERNING AND REGULATORY AUTHORITY

2. To create a single entity to conduct the governance, administration, finance and regulation of greyhound racing, to be called the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB)
3. The single main Board of the GBGB shall be smaller than at present and contain an increased proportion of independent members. It would contain 10 members: 3 promoters, 1 practitioner, 3 independents (including one from the Regulatory Board), plus the independent chairman of the Regulatory Board, the Chief Executive (who is also on the Regulatory Board) and an independent Chairman having a casting vote. Any proposition would need some independent support to succeed.
4. A separate Stewards Disciplinary Committee to be created.
5. The existing committee structure to be strengthened.
6. Many of the existing staff to be employed in the new structure
7. Early review to establish the number of Stewards and officers required to carry out the regulatory functions in the field, with the assumption that the number of Stipendiary Stewards should be increased - probably to at least 12.
8. Directors should serve no more that 4 years at a time, with a maximum of 8 years.
9. The funding of greyhound racing should be revised.
10. Consideration should be given to altering the payments for transmission licenses and track licenses, while bearing in mind any adverse impact on smaller tracks. Changes in other regulatory fees are suggested.
11. Registration fees should be increased and a percentage should be returned to the owner on evidence that the owner has secured the greyhound's future in accordance with Rule 18.
12. The Regulator should be represented on the BGRF Board and on its recommended interim replacement in the new governing structure, ie, at least one of the 3 GBGB nominees should be from the Regulatory element.
13. The BGRF should in due course be disbanded and the Greyhound Levy funds be made available to the new GBGB to decide expenditure priorities in the interests of the sport. In the interim period - not exceeding 2 years - the Fund Board should be reduced by half to operate within the GBGB headquarters. Expenditure on welfare and integrity to be top-sliced from the budget.
14. The Regulator should enjoy the maximum independence compatible with its due accountability to the industry which finances it and which it serves.




WELFARE

15. Leading tracks, including BAGS tracks, must accept that they have a collective responsibility for driving the improved welfare agenda
16. Regulation of tracks under the new Animal Welfare Act and its secondary legislation - which will apply to independent as well as licensed tracks - might best be achieved through a hybrid system, whereby the sport's regulator would license tracks registered with the GBGB and local authorities, in cooperation with the GBGB, would enforce regulations at the independent tracks.
17. Recommendations are made for secondary legislation in relation to Breeding, Registration, Veterinary provision, Kennelling, Drug Testing and dog transportation.
18. The new ruling body to increase provision for re-homing retired greyhounds.
19. All racing greyhound breeders to be licensed by the Regulator and subject to veterinary supervision.
20. Breeding issues deriving from Ireland to be the subject of rapid negotiation between the British and Irish governments and racing authorities.
21. All greyhounds to be registered at birth or at time of ear-marking (12-15 weeks).
22. Improvements to be made in identification and tracking.
23. More graded races to be provided for veteran greyhounds.
24. Research to be commissioned into the desirable age at which greyhounds commence racing.
25. Validated statistics of track injuries to be centrally maintained.
26. More research to be commissioned into the breeding of sturdier greyhounds, into the quality of track surfaces, and into the relationship between greyhound nutrition and injuries.
27. A condition of track licences should be that a track operates an efficient dog re-homing scheme.
28. The industry should increase the financial support for retirement provision.
29. Liaison between British and Irish racing authorities to be systematically developed and Defra to establish a senior committee to assist this process at governmental level.
30. Recommendations for improved technology and procedures for data collection and record-keeping in the sport to ensure better tracking and tracing of greyhounds and the proper maintenance of a data base of injury statistics.




INDEPENDENT TRACKS

31. Greyhound Racing's authorities should encourage the positive aspects of independent racing and assist the better independent tracks to prosper and achieve common welfare and integrity standards.
32. The current Rules banning participation in independent racing should be dropped in favour of a revised Stud Book Name scheme. The greyhound authorities should consider offering more transitional incentives to encourage independent tracks to join licensed racing.




VETERINARIANS

33. The independence and authority of track veterinarians should be enhanced by the introduction of written local contracts covering attendance commitments, remuneration and notice periods. The issue of a track licence should be conditional on the existence of such contracts. These contracts would be backed up by a standard National Service Level Agreement covering the matters over which the veterinarian would have ultimate authority, primarily covering welfare, and requisite veterinary qualifications and minimum track veterinary facilities.
34. A schedule of minimum track veterinary facilities to be agreed and facilities improved.
35. More rigorous independent inspection by licensed and qualified veterinarians of trainers' kennels to be introduced.
36. The new Greyhound Regulatory Board should introduce improved arrangements for licensing and training veterinarians who act at tracks and inspect trainers' kennels.




TRANSITION TO THE GREYHOUND BOARD of GREAT BRITAIN

37. Detailed recommendations are made for the committee composition, agenda and timetable to ensure an expeditious transition to the new GBGB.

Appendix 3

PERSONS AND ORGANISATIONS WHO SUBMITTED WRITTEN AND/OR ORAL EVIDENCE

British Greyhound Racing Board

Lord Lipsey of Tooting Bec - Chairman
Barry Johnson - Independent Director
Richard Hayler - General Secretary
John Petrie - General Secretary (until 1st May 2007)

National Greyhound Racing Club

Edward Bentall - Senior Steward
Hazel Bentall - Veterinary Steward
Neville Dunnett - Steward
Linda Jones - Steward
Bill McDermott - Steward
Richard Shuster - Steward & Treasurer

British Greyhound Racing Fund

Charles Lenox-Conyngham - Chairman
Margaret Woodruff - Fund Secretary

Association of British Bookmakers

Tom Kelly - Chief Executive

Racecourse Promoters Association

John Curran - Kinsley
Clive Feltham - GRA
Clarke Osborne - Stadia UK
Simon Levingston - Secretary RCPA

Society of Greyhound Veterinarians

Frances Allen
Andrew Bartholomew
Mike Harvey
Diana Hodson
Richard Lockyer
Richard Payne
Michael Watts

Greyhound Trainers Association

Jim Reynolds - Chairman
John Haynes - Past Chairman

Federation of British Greyhound Owners' Associations

Stuart Locke-Hart

Greyhound Breeders Forum

Bob Gilling

Independent Greyhound Racing Association

Jason Gamble - Chairman
David Smith

Welfare Charities & Organisations

Dogs Trust
Greyhound Action
Greyhound Rescue - Wales
Greyhound Rescue - West of England
Greyhounds UK
Greyhounds' Voice
League Against Cruel Sports
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Swiss Valley Greyhounds - Wales

Ireland

Adrian Neilan - Chief Executive - Bord na gCon
D J Histon - Deputy Chief Executive - Bord na gCon
Jerry Desmond - Chief Executive - Irish Coursing Club
Animals Need a Voice in Legislation (ANVIL) - Ireland
Rescued-Greyhound Owners Network (RGON - Ireland

Individual Submissions

Mr Floyd Amphlett - Greyhound Star
Mr Gordon Bissett - Ladbrokes plc
Mr Charles Blanning - Past Keeper of the Greyhound Stud Book
Mr Roy Brindley
Mr R G Britts
Ms Louise Clark
Mrs Jilly Cooper
Mr Alex Cull
Professor Edward Houghton
Mr Robert Hughes
Mr Sean Lawless
Mr Steven Saward - Betfair Ltd
Ms Tanya Stevenson - Channel 4 Television
Mr Terry Westwood
Mr Michael Wheble MBE
Mr S Wright

Government Bodies

We are grateful for the help and advice provided by officials at both Defra and the Local Authorities Coordinating Office on Regulatory Services (LACORS).

Appendix 4

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS