GRNZ acknowledges receipt of RIB Ministerial Report
Greyhound Racing New Zealand acknowledges that it has now received the Racing Integrity Board’s December Ministerial Report. GRNZ also provided a report to the Minister for Racing at the same time, which can be viewed here: https://www.grnz.co.nz/Files/Advisories/GRNZ%20Industry%20Progress%20Report%2012%20December%202022.pdf
We note that the RIB report outlines the considerable progress which the industry had made in the preceding 15 months up to 30 November 2022, including an increased focus on animal welfare.
The RIB assessed progress against 15 focus areas, and we are pleased that this independent body assessed our progress in 10 of the 15 areas as meeting appropriate standards.
In the five months since the report was first submitted, GRNZ has continued to work closely with the RIB and has made significant additional progress in the other five areas:
- Our Racing Safety Strategic Plan and Injury Reduction Strategy have resulted in a downward trend in serious injuries.
- Phase II of our Track Diagnostic Programme has now been implemented, which has had a positive impact in the area of track standards.
- An experienced racing administrator is currently conducting an independent review to enhance GRNZ’s registration and traceability systems.
- A compulsory education programme for all LPs who care for greyhounds will commence in June, as a condition of maintaining their licences from 1 August 2023.
Our industry’s primary focus remains animal and participant welfare, and we will continue to strive for continuous improvement to ensure greyhound racing maintains its social licence to operate going forward.
GRNZ will fully review the RIB report and provide a comprehensive response to the Minister for Racing, noting the additional work that has been completed in the first half of 2023.
