Meeting of the Parliament 29 January 2026 [Draft]
::We are dealing with tracks in Scotland and with banning track greyhound racing in Scotland, and we have to be careful about using the term “cruelty”. The issues were about dogs that were injured. We have to be very careful about our language and using words such as “cruelty”.
The minister told the committee that he believes that there are inherent welfare risks associated with greyhound racing at speeds and with oval tracks, and, in his view, those risks cannot be eliminated through regulation or good practice. In the light of the committee members’ differing views on the case for a ban, the committee asked the Scottish Government for a fuller explanation of why it now considers welfare risks to be comparable between independent and GBGB-regulated tracks.
I thank the minister for his letter to the committee, which responded to that request ahead of this afternoon’s debate. Although no new data has been provided, I acknowledge the Scottish Government’s position that its move to support the bill is based on previous evidence that demonstrates the inherent risk of racing on oval-shaped tracks, including the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission’s 2023 report.
The committee notes that the bill would not prevent greyhounds that are kept in Scotland from racing elsewhere in the UK, and notes the minister’s recent correspondence, which states:
“It is unfortunate that greyhounds kennelled in Scotland which are raced in other parts of the UK will have a different level of protection afforded to them”.
Although the immediate impact of the bill would be very limited, given that greyhound racing is not currently taking place in Scotland, it would still prevent racing from recommencing at the Thornton track and would prevent the establishment of any new oval tracks in Scotland.
On the bill’s provisions, should a ban be introduced, we agree with the bill’s approach of making it an offence to allow a dog to race both for the greyhound’s owner and for the track operator.
Statistics show that the highest welfare risks are associated with oval tracks. Therefore, the committee also agrees that, if a ban is introduced, it should apply specifically to oval tracks. We are content with the penalty provision in sections 1 and 2, as drafted, and note the Scottish Government’s intention to amend the provisions in sections 3 to 9, on enforcement, to ensure that they are consistent with existing animal welfare legislation.
I look forward to hearing colleagues’ views on the bill during the debate.