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Post by BVADMIN on Sept 18, 2020 15:21:18 GMT
 ...Pilot for Independent Residential Kennel Inspections Launched... Following its announcement earlier in the year that all residential kennels will be externally audited, GBGB has launched a pilot of the new independent inspections. The pilot was originally due to take place in the Spring but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new inspections are being undertaken by independent auditors, NSF International, who have extensive experience of conducting animal welfare audits. Over the coming months, NSF will be carrying out a pilot with a select number of trainers in conjunction with their area Stipendiary Steward. Trainers chosen for this pilot have already been contacted by GBGB via letter. The pilot scheme will last for several weeks and a full roll-out of the inspections will begin in January 2021.
The inspections will be based on the criteria detailed in the PAS 251: 2017 Specification for Greyhound Trainers’ Residential Kennels which is available on the GBGB website and via the trainers’ portal. The pilot scheme aims to familiarise NSF with the workings of licenced kennels and to ensure trainers have a good understanding of what is required of them for these inspections.
Paul Illingworth, Senior Stipendiary Steward, said:
“With the events of the past few months we had to take the decision to postpone the start of our work with NSF but we are pleased to get this important work underway. These inspections will demonstrate our commitment to upholding the highest welfare standards across our sport. We are hugely thankful for trainers and their staff for their support as we introduce these changes.
“It is our hope that the pilot scheme will give both trainers and NSF the opportunity to fully familiarise themselves with the process and ensure we have everything in place to roll the new inspections out fully from next year. If any trainer has any questions about the new inspections or the PAS, please contact your Stipendiary Steward.” |
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Post by BVADMIN on Sept 26, 2020 9:26:28 GMT
COVID FINANCIAL PACKAGE – GBGB STATEMENT
Commenting on the recent announcement that the Culture Minister Oliver Dowden had this week met with some of the major sporting leads with regards to a possible financial rescue package, GBGB Managing Director Mark Bird said:
“None of us within greyhound racing consider that we are anywhere near being through the Covid-19 crisis; indeed the government this week announced further restrictions affecting parts of the country and sporting events, potentially well into 2021. We were pleased to be the first sport to return post-Lockdown, and for that we credit the hard work of all those within the industry, but it is clear that the impact of restrictions will be long felt .”
It is understood that any rescue package is based on an assessment as to losses for sports from spectators not being allowed into stadiums since March and the Lockdown. Bird said:
“This is certainly the case for greyhound racing. Some tracks have recently been permitted by local authorities to allow limited numbers back into tracks to watch racing which has been excellent to see, but this will still only represent a fraction of what tracks would ordinarily be getting in terms of revenue in their restaurants, bars, snack bars and for Tote takings. We also need to account for the fact that some GBGB tracks are still racing behind closed doors, where their local councils have not yet relaxed any of the social distancing conditions.
“Everyone involved in UK greyhound racing has suffered financially, from promoters and track staff to owners and trainers. Any possible financial package, at this time, that can help offset some of the considerable losses suffered by UK greyhound tracks would be hugely welcomed.
“We intend to provide a detailed submission to DCMS, which will clearly outline what the losses on spectator numbers look like for tracks, and will also provide an overview of how others within the sport have likewise suffered, such as owners and trainers. Only this week we have seen Poole confirm its closure, based largely on a lack of footfall – the same reason cited for Peterborough and Belle Vue – so the costs of Covid-19 on our sport are clear to see.
“We have been heartened by the spirit of the greyhound community throughout, and particularly in spite of these sad track losses, and will continue to do everything in our power as a regulator to keep our sport open and running – not least for the welfare of our greyhounds – through any further restrictions this winter.” |
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Post by BVADMIN on Sept 26, 2020 9:27:02 GMT
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Post by SALFORD GIRL on Oct 7, 2020 21:21:35 GMT
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Post by SALFORD GIRL on Oct 9, 2020 9:24:27 GMT
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Post by SALFORD GIRL on Oct 15, 2020 21:17:31 GMT
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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 23, 2020 13:55:51 GMT
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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 28, 2020 19:23:02 GMT
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020:
 The Rules of
Greyhound Racing
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Post by BVADMIN on Oct 31, 2020 19:42:10 GMT
 Mark Bird: Hopeful that tightly controlled racing can continueGreyhound Board to discuss latest Covid challenge..BY RACING POST STAFF 7:33PM 31 OCT 2020MARK BIRD, MD at the Greyhound Board, on Saturday night reacted to the new statement about the emergency from Boris Johnson
Bird said: “After an already incredibly tough year and, whilst everyone remains delighted that the Derby reached its final, we are all aware that the government has again been deliberating as to how to respond to the increase in Covid cases.
“As a result of the Prime Minister’s address Saturday evening, an English lockdown will now result in many people having to remain at home for a month commencing next Thursday and we await any official response from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport as to racing continuing.
“The GBGB operational plan for racing at tracks has been extremely effective and applauded since we started back racing in June. Everyone involved with the sport and concerned with the plan has acted incredibly responsibly and adhered to government advice.
“Like other elite sports, and based on our proven track record of responsible racing under Covid restrictions, I firmly believe that we, as a sport and as a workplace, should be allowed to continue under any wider restrictions, whilst again behind closed doors.”
Bird concluded: “We will report back ahead of further conversations with officials at DCMS but in the meantime we ask everyone to remain united and optimistic that we can continue racing whilst being observant to overall public safety.” |
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Post by BVADMIN on Nov 2, 2020 0:35:30 GMT
Taken from the Racing Post
Monday 2-10-20::
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