Greyhound Board of Great Britain

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) is the organisation that governs licensed greyhound racing in Great Britain. It does not govern independent tracks or Northern Irish tracks and therefore has no jurisdiction over them.[1]

History

It was formed in 2009 as a self-regulating body after a merger between the British Greyhound Racing Board and the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC).[2] The GBGB reports to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

All greyhound-racing stadia and individuals working in the registered sector are subject to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) Rules of Racing[3] and the Directions of the Stipendiary Stewards, who set the standards for greyhound welfare at the racecourses. Stewards’ Inquiries are held both locally and at the London headquarters and disciplinary action is taken against anyone found failing to comply.[4]

On 24 March 2020, the GBGB took the unprecedented step of suspending Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They pledged financial help to all retired and racing greyhounds within the registered sector.[5] Later in 2020, a 5-step plan was drawn up in order to resume activities in a limited manner, enabling a partial resumption of racing under COVID-19 restrictions.[6]

Accreditation

The GBGB is an independently audited body which is accredited by UKAS. UKAS accreditation requires periodic audit of systems and procedures and is a guarantee that high professional standards are being met. Moreover, the annual independent audit of the GBGB's accounts gives further assurance to the public and to the sport's funding body, the British Greyhound Racing Fund.

Welfare

The GBGB recently published its injury and retirement statistics for 2017.[7] It also reiterated its commitment to greyhound welfare.[8]

Greyhound Racing has attracted the interest of animal welfare group for many years. The GBGB takes part in a number of welfare forums and has good working relations with representatives from other bodies such as the Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. They also report on welfare to DEFRA and the All-Party Parliamentary Greyhound Group. Nevertheless, animal rights activists remain opposed to the sport.

In 2022, the RSPCA called for a ban to racing,[9] which triggered a response from CEO Mark Bird, regarding animal rights extremists being given credence within charities.[10]

Regulatory powers

Any person in the registered sector is subject to the GBGB Rules of Racing[11] and the Directions of the Stewards, who set the standards for greyhound welfare and racing integrity, from racecourse facilities and trainers' kennels to retirement of greyhounds. There are Stewards' inquiries, and then disciplinary action is taken against anyone found failing to comply.[12] An example of this was in 2022, when the GBGB inspected the kennel of trainer Rebecca Perkins and found offences contrary to the Animal Welfare Act. The GBGB contacted the RSPCA and in 2023, she received a jail sentence and a life ban.[13]

The GBGB have no regulatory power over people or greyhounds that are not registered with them or over Irish racing and breeding.[11]

References
  1. "Publications and Records". House of Commons.
  2. "The Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010". www.legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  3. "Rules of Racing". www.gbgb.org.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  4. "Disciplinary Committee Hearings". www.gbgb.org.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  5. "GBGB EMERGENCY MEETING PRESS STATEMENT". Greyhound Star. 24 March 2020.
  6. "GBGB Operational Policy Released Ahead of a Phased Return to Racing". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  7. "Injury and Retirement Data". www.gbgb.org.uk. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  8. "The Greyhound Commitment". www.gbgb.org.uk. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  9. "Cut the chase on greyhound racing". RSPCA. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  10. "GBGB respond to charity ban statements". Greyhound Star. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  11. "Rules of Racing". Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  12. "Disciplinary Committee Hearings". Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  13. "Burton Fleming greyhound trainer jailed over dogs' suffering". BBC News. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
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