Source: Radio New Zealand
Greyhound Racing New Zealand is disappointed the committee made the recommendation. 123RF
The greyhound racing industry is calling for clarity on its transition plan, as the looming ban on the sector gets closer.
A legislation shutting down the sport by August passed its first reading late last year.
A select committee has released its report and recommends proceeding but suggested allowing TAB to continue taking bets on overseas races after domestic racing ends.
Greyhound Racing New Zealand is disappointed the committee made the recommendation.
Chief executive Edward Rennell said people were still in the dark and there was a lot of work left to be done with over 1000 greyhounds to be rehomed.
“We’re only four and a half months out now and there’s a tremendous lot of work and there’s a lot of uncertainty in terms of how things are going to work from 1 August and further clarity is required for our industry participants.”
“At 31 July we’re projecting there’s still going to be 1600 greyhounds to be rehomed.”
Rennell said the select committee’s outcome was not what they had hoped for.
“We felt the greyhound industry and the people that submitted clearly outlined why we didn’t believe there were grounds for closure and the tremendous progress the industry has made form a welfare perspective.”
“We were hoping after consideration of the submissions that the select committee would have reviewed the decision.”
ACT MPs have voiced strong objections to the ban, saying breeders, owners and venues deserve better treatment.
ACT MP Cameron Luxton had previously said the government should “at the very least” set up a compensation scheme.
“We’ve listened to a community that’s been misunderstood by Wellington. They’re getting a raw deal. Their property rights have been disregarded, and someone needs to stick up for them.”
In a previous statement, Racing Minister Winston Peters had said everybody had had the opportunity to have their say through the select committee process.
“This decision was not taken lightly,” he said.
“However, it was considered that the rates of dogs being seriously injured remained too high and the improvements made were not significant enough.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
