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The last remaining greyhound racing track in Wales faces closure after plans to ban the sport were approved.

Senedd Members backed the ban on Tuesday March 17, casting doubt on the future of the Valley Greyhounds track in Ystrad Mynach.

The prohibition of greyhound racing Bill will make it an offence to operate a track or be involved in organising greyhound racing in Wales.

A phased ban is set to come into effect from April 2027, with the sport set to be fully banned by April 2030.

The Welsh Government says the transition period will allow the industry to “wind down responsibly”, while strengthening rehoming arrangements for retired greyhounds. It will also give enforcement bodies and local authorities time to prepare for the ban.

Following the vote, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: “Wales is a progressive nation, committed to ethical standards and forward-thinking legislation.

“This bill strengthens our reputation as a leader on animal welfare and delivers the standards that the people of Wales rightly expect.”

Speaking in December, Mr Irranca-Davies said work is under way to ensure targeted support for workers at the Valley Greyhounds track before the bill comes into force.

Caerphilly Observer previously reported the venue could miss out on £15 million over the next five years if the ban is introduced.

Valley Greyhounds has an agreement with Sports Information Services Limited (SIS) to provide exclusive greyhound racing content.

Richard Brankley, head of greyhound operations at SIS, previously said the £15m goes towards supporting the care of racing greyhounds, as well as the employment of 85 people – including trainers, kennel staff, vets, licensed track officials, maintenance workers, and hospitality workers.

He also said the payments further support the local economy through the indirect supply of goods and services that support the stadium.

But the ban has been welcomed by a number of animal welfare charities, including Hope Rescue – which submitted a 35,101-name petition to the Senedd in 2021 calling for a ban.

A counter-petition, which supported greyhound racing in Wales and raised concerns about the potential impact of a ban, received 10,601 signatures.

More than 2,000 greyhounds died and nearly 18,000 injuries were recorded on licensed UK tracks between 2018 and 2021, according to evidence from the Cut the Chase coalition of campaigning charities.

Following the Senedd’s vote, Mark Bird, CEO of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, was disappointed at the ban.

He said: “The only thing this bill will do is destroy people’s jobs, family-run businesses, and community touchpoints – not to mention cause significant loss to the Welsh economy.  

“Valley Greyhound Stadium has invested around £2million in upgraded veterinary, kennelling and track facilities, all while offering employment and economic vitality for a community that needs it.

“Anyone who has visited the track knows how deeply trainers, kennelhands and owners love their greyhounds and the lengths they go to in caring for and raising happy, healthy greyhounds.

“We remain resolute in our fight against this bill process and await the court judgements.”