NSW greyhound racing: A model of integrity and welfare
The New South Wales (NS) Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) has received praise for its efforts in regulating the greyhound racing industry.
This recognition comes from Mr. Graham Ashton, who conducted an investigation into the greyhound racing industry in South Australia.
Mr. Ashton commended GWIC for its forward-thinking approach to animal care and welfare standards that align with community expectations.
“They [GWIC] are, from what I can tell, ahead of the pack in terms of setting animal care conditions that are consistent with community expectations,” Mr. Ashton said.
Since its establishment five years ago in the wake of the NSW greyhound ban, the GWIC has not only delivered on its mandate to establish greater oversight and enforcement of integrity and welfare standards in NSW, but it has also earned a reputation as the preeminent integrity leader within the global greyhound racing community.
Mr. Ashton acknowledged the expertise and contributions provided by GWIC.
“I think they are the closest anywhere to setting industry standards that the community would accept, and therefore I have brought a number of GWIC conditions across,” he said.
Many of the 57 recommendations made directly by Mr. Ashton in his independent review were based on the standards set by GWIC.
He specifically highlighted the Commission's Code of Practice, which went into effect in January 2021, as a model for animal welfare policies.
As one of 86 recommendations, Mr. Ashton recommended that Greyhound Racing South Australia adopt these policies as part of their governance reforms.
Mr. Alby Taylor, GWIC's Chief Commissioner, expressed pride in the Commission's accomplishments and emphasised the progress made regarding greyhound welfare and integrity.
According to Mr. Taylor, the eTracking system, which's the first of its kind in the world, keeps a watch on every racing greyhound in the state.
Mr. Taylor added that the greyhound welfare code of practice strategies to reduce race injuries, and creative rehoming options are indications of how the industry prioritises the welfare of greyhounds.
NSW consistently establishes itself as a benchmark for maintaining integrity and ensuring the well-being of greyhounds.