Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) is introducing new rules from 1 December which enhance the existing requirements for the export of greyhounds and place greater responsibilities on owners.
The new rules will make it an offence for participants to transfer greyhounds to others when they either know or ought to know that the greyhound will likely be exported without a greyhound passport.
Click here to view the new rules.
The new rules are part of GRNSW’s efforts to take appropriate action against unauthorised exports, and are similar to rules introduced in Victoria in October this year.
In 2016, GRNSW convened an inquiry into unauthorised exports after evidence emerged that greyhounds were being exported to China and Macau in contravention of Rule 124 of the Greyhound Racing Rules, which requires that any person intending to export a greyhound from Australia to any other country (excluding NEW ZEALAND) must, prior to meeting the quarantine and inspection service requirements of the relevant country, obtain a greyhound passport and certified pedigree issued by Greyhounds Australasia (GA).
GA has suspended consideration of greyhound passport applications to Macau since March 2013 due to a GA assessment that Macau is not fully compliant with Australian animal welfare standards.
In 2014 GA adopted the default position that it will not issue greyhound passports for greyhounds which are to be exported to countries where GA has no formal association with a recognised central regulatory authority. China is one such destination.
Although the export of greyhounds without a passport may be contrary to Rule 124, there is no Federal Government law prohibiting it. The lack of a greyhound passport does not preclude a greyhound from being exported from Australia and the federal regulatory scheme does not take account of the animal welfare standards of the destination country.
GRNSW encourages anyone who may have information about the unauthorised exportation of greyhounds to contact the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Hotline on 1800 600 174 or www.greyhoundwelfare.com.au to ensure the matter can be fully investigated.
The new rules come into effect on 1 December 2017.
Click here for answers to some frequently asked questions regarding greyhound exports.
