Shelbourne Park Thursday November 10th.
I am unable to say who else attended because I was not there myself but I am hoping that a report will be published on The Sporting Press.

The National greyhound consultative forum was held today in Limerick greyhound stadium. The chairman of the IGB welcomed those present and expressed that the industry had been through some difficult years but was confident of a better future with a debt free industry when the sale of Harold's Cross is completed. He introduced Ger Dollard CEO who laid out where we are and where the IGB wished to go for the 2018-2022 period. Firstly he summarised a report into the economic and financial significance of the greyhound industry. It showed where 5058 people were employed in the industry and with over 7000 breeders at its peak for a total of over 12000 active in the industry but that figure had dropped to 7500. The current value to the economy for the full industry came in at 310 million per annum. It had both value in urban and rural areas and was very important for rural economic and social development. It showed a lot of graphs where the trajectory was in decline in many areas. Prize money was one that fell from 12m at the peak to 9m in 2017. Discussion followed from the floor as to how to recover and grow the industry. Prize money was the main suggestion to stimulate participation. Owners had left due to the rising costs increased regulation and decreased prize money. Owners said that the fun had gone out of the sport and while not seeking to make a profit from ownership subsidising the cost of a greyhound just became out of reach for many. The negative publicity surrounding doping was also a factor for the lack of attendance and that media and social media was doing unquantifiable damage. A suggestion for a greyhound view program was widely supported as it showed our industry in a true light. A call for 50% of the greyhound fund be ring fenced for prize money was made to assure breeders and owners of funding into the future. The CEO outlined the strategic plan for 2018-2022 which sought to address the areas found deficient by various reports. Races for lower grades and older dogs to extend their racing careers were part of it and welfare of the greyhound is central to the industry. Traceability from birth to death is suggested but caution was raised from the floor that those opposed to our industry would twist those figures to paint it in a poor light. There had to be acceptance that all dogs bred would eventually pass on and that the record of it would not be used by politicians opposed to our industry for sensationalism in the Dail. It was felt that greyhound breeders were being singled out by laws and contrary to the spirit of the Republic. Betting was discussed and falling bookmaking figures were noted. The grading system may need review and unrecorded trials had a negative effect on bookmaking betting. Breeding and it's decline for recent years was putting pressure on dog racing pools at tracks. Brood grants were discussed. The whole sector was under resourced to maintain breeding figures and again prize money and extending day racing to Irish and UK betting markets was seen favourable. The proposed greyhound bill was updated by Joan Kennedy from the department of Agriculture which would address deficiencies in governance and would hope to pass cabinet by April and then sent to committee for amendments but would hope to have it passed by Autumn. The forum ended shortly after.

The Greyhound Group would firstly like to wish the incoming chairman Mr. Frank Nyhan the very best in his new appointment. As a previous board member he is well aware of the difficulties in and challenges facing our industry. We are conscious there are many facets to running such an industry and while individual in themselves they are often interlinked. We wish to draw attention today to prizemoney and its effect on breeding numbers, owner participation, spectator figures and sentiment in the industry. For decades Irish owners and breeders have been subsidising both Irish and U.K. racing. Breeders embark with the hopes of producing a champion which fall in to the category of 1 to 2 percent. The next four grades represent about 30 percent and the remainder are in the lower grades so nearly 70 percent of what is produced are of this standard which are sold mainly to the UK for below production costs. This is an unsustainable model. Breeding and owner figures have dropped by over 50% and while the recession can be attributed for some of it the trend continues downward despite a recovery in the economy. We believe the only mechanism to halt and reverse these trends is in prizemoney. The owners and breeders have to see a visible opportunity of return of the investment in purchasing and rearing a litter of greyhounds. Ireland and the U.K. fall far behind in prizemoney levels to Australia we look on at the paltry offering from the betting industry here to the primary producers of their products. While the Australian model is government controlled we too have an opportunity in the forthcoming budget to put both horse and greyhound racing on a self supporting basis. We are asking today for the board to join many that are calling to increase the betting tax from 1 to 2.5 percent. We are seeking that representations are made to the Minister for finance and his department. We are also seeking a review of projections for prizemoney growth in the 2018-2022 strategic plan. On today's agenda is the area of syndicate formation we suggest concentrating on creating the conditions where syndicates will form themselves. Prizemoney is the incentive for them to form and breeders and trainers will respond to the market. It will have a positive knock on effect to all others areas currently struggling. We ask the board today to endeavour to double prizemoney in the lifetime of the strategic plan and to ringfence a minimum of 50% of the fund for prizemoney. Our industry needs radical change in direction to reverse downward trends and prevent us from disappearing from the landscape. The opportunity for the Irish greyhound industry is wide and far reaching and can play a vital role in rural and urban Ireland alike. We implore the board to take action and to remember without the greyhound there is no industry.
The Greyhound Group.

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