Section 1
Section 1 introduces two new offences which prohibit:
· an operator of a stadium or a similar venue in Wales from using it, or knowingly permitting it to be used, for greyhound racing; and
· a person from being involved in organising greyhound racing in Wales (the Explanatory Notes state this is whether at a stadium or similar venue, or anywhere else, for example on open land).
A person guilty of these offences is liable on summary conviction to a fine (which the Bill does not cap).
Section 2
Section 2 defines the terms ‘greyhound racing’ and ‘operator’.
Section 3
Section 3 introduces Schedule 1 to the Bill, which makes provision about offences under section 1 committed by certain bodies.
Section 4
Section 4 introduces Schedule 2 to the Bill, which makes provision about enforcing the offences under section 1.
Section 5
Section 5 sets out when each provision of the Bill comes into force. The greyhound racing ban would come into force no sooner than 1 April 2027 and no later than 1 April 2030.
Section 6
Section 6 provides the short title, which is the “Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Act 2026”, or “Deddf Gwahardd Rasio Milgwn (Cymru) 2026”.
Paragraph 1
Schedule 1 makes provision about offences under section 1:
Paragraph 1 sets out that certain individuals can be held criminally liable for the offence in section 1 where the offence is committed by certain bodies (a body corporate; a partnership; or an unincorporated association other than a partnership). For example, a director of a company could also be criminally liable for the offence where the company committed the offence.
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2 sets out how proceedings are to be brought against a partnership or an unincorporated association where they are alleged to have committed an offence under section 1.
Paragraph 1
Schedule 2 makes provision about powers of enforcement:
Paragraph 1 provides interpretation of the terms ‘inspector’ (appointed by the Welsh Ministers or by county, or county borough, councils in Wales to enforce the offences in section 1), ‘power of entry’ and ‘premises’.
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2 gives inspectors a power to enter premises that are not dwellings, where there are grounds for suspecting that an offence under section 1 is being, has been or is about to be committed, or that evidence may be found that an offence is being, has been or is about to be committed.
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3 gives inspectors a power to enter dwellings. The inspector can only use this power if the occupier or person in charge of the premises consents, or the inspector obtains a warrant from a Justice of the Peace.
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4 provides that such a warrant authorises entry on one occasion only and must be used within 28 days beginning with the date it was issued.
Paragraph 5 - 8
Paragraph 5, 6, 7 and 8 make further provision about the powers of entering premises. This includes that an inspector may take other appropriate persons onto the premises.
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9 describes the powers of inspection, search and seizure available to an inspector when exercising a power of entry.
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10 provides that a person brought onto the premises by the inspector may use the inspector’s powers under paragraph 9, provided they are under the inspector’s supervision.
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11 makes additional provision about the power of seizure.
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12 provides that a person commits an offence if they fail to comply with an inspector’s request for assistance or intentionally obstructs an inspector. An offence under this paragraph is triable in the Magistrates’ Court, which may impose a fine (which is not capped by the Bill) if the person is found guilty.
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13 protects inspectors and people taken onto premises by inspectors from civil or criminal liability for anything done as a result of carrying out their duties. The court must be satisfied that the act was done in good faith and that there were reasonable grounds for doing it
