Cross Party Group Details
Cross Party Group Title:
Animal Welfare
Group membership and office holders
Name of Group Chair:
Carolyn Thomas MS
Names of other Members of the Senedd:
Mike Hedges MS
Buffy Williams MS
Jane Dodds MS
John Griffiths MS
Luke Fletcher MS
David Rees MS
Name of Secretary and Organisation:
Jamie Adair, Public Affairs Officer (Wales), League Against Cruel Sports
Names of other external members and organisations represented:
|
Jamie Adair (Secretariat) |
League Against Cruel Sports |
|
Anne-Louise Davies |
Welsh Local Government Association |
|
Chris Ward |
Cats Protection |
|
Dan Rose |
Staff of Carolyn Thomas MS |
|
Deborah Davies |
Independent |
|
Dewi John |
Dogs Trust |
|
James Fitch |
Dogs Trust |
|
Ed Hayes |
Kennel Club |
|
Fiona Pereira |
Animal Aid |
|
Gareth Walters |
Welsh Local Government Association |
|
Holly Conway |
Kennel Club |
|
Iain Green |
Animal Aid |
|
Chris Topping |
Justice for Reggie |
|
Michelle Masterton-Smith |
Animal Aid |
|
Nicky Hughes |
Greyhound Rescue Wales |
|
Nigel Palmer |
Badger Trust |
|
Russell Whiting |
Crustacean Compassion |
|
Vanessa Waddon |
Hope Rescue |
|
Natalie Harvey |
Naturewatch Foundation |
|
Malcolm Eames |
Greyhound Rescue Wales |
|
Rachel Sharp |
Wildlife Trusts Wales |
|
Scott Fryer |
Wildlife Trust Wales |
|
Ruth Tingay |
Wild Justice |
|
Teresa Amory |
Gower Bird Hospital |
Other meetings of the Group since the last AGM
Meeting 1
Date of Meeting:
Monday 14 July
Attendees:
|
Carolyn Thomas MS (Chair) |
Member of the Senedd |
|
Buffy Williams MS |
Member of the Senedd |
|
Mike Hedges MS |
Member of the Senedd |
|
Jamie Adair (Secretariat) |
League Against Cruel Sports |
|
Anne-Louise Davies |
Welsh Local Government Association |
|
Arnja Dale |
SPCA New Zealand |
|
Chris Ward |
Cats Protection |
|
Dan Rose |
Staff of Carolyn Thomas MS |
|
Deborah Davies |
Independent |
|
Dewi John |
Dogs Trust |
|
Ed Hayes |
Kennel Club |
|
Fiona Pereira |
Animal Aid |
|
Gareth Walters |
Welsh Local Government Association |
|
Holly Conway |
Kennel Club |
|
Iain Green |
Animal Aid |
|
Kirsty Rees |
Senedd Support Staff Member |
|
Liam McGuiness |
Senedd Support Staff |
|
Lynne Oldham (on behalf of Chris Topping) |
Justice for Reggie |
|
Michelle Masterton-Smith |
Animal Aid |
|
Nicky Hughes |
Greyhound Rescue Wales |
|
Nigel Palmer |
Badger Trust |
|
Alison Vaughan |
SPCA New Zealand |
|
Russell Whiting |
Crustacean Compassion |
|
Tomos Roberts-Young |
Senedd Support Staff Member |
|
Vanessa Waddon |
Hope Rescue |
Summary of the issues discussed:
Welcome and Introductions – Carolyn Thomas MS welcomed the group back after a long break and celebrated the Welsh Government’s announcement to end greyhound racing in Wales. She also welcomed guest speakers from SPCA New Zealand. Apologies were noted from Natalie Harvey and Malcolm Eames.
Appointment of Officers – Jamie Adair appointed as Secretariat; Carolyn Thomas confirmed as Chair, nominated by Mike Hedges MS and seconded by Buffy Williams MS.
End of Greyhound Racing in Wales – SPCA New Zealand shared lessons from their own ban, highlighting the need for emergency legislation, breeding restrictions, traceability audits, and managing industry resistance. Concerns in Wales about lack of trainer wind-down and rehoming access for non-GBGB-approved organisations.
Wales Greyhound Ban Implementation Group Update – Vanessa Waddon updated the group noting that legislation is progressing on schedule, with the priority on passing the bill. Concerns raised over the Greyhound Partnership’s rehoming numbers and clarity needed on racing outside Wales and interim welfare.
Animal Aid Investigation into Game Bird Farming – Reported serious welfare and biosecurity breaches, including use of raised cages, overcrowding, injuries, and disease risks. No official inspections in 2023–24. Calls made for a ban on raised cages, a review of release practices during avian flu outbreaks, and better regulation.
RSPCA Cymru Update:
· Support for licensing sanctuaries, rescues, and rehoming centres.
· Advocacy for a pet abduction offence in Wales.
· UK legislation updates:
o Imports of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets Bill – tackling pet smuggling, mutilations, and import age limits.
o Protection of Livestock (Amendment) Bill – modernising livestock worrying laws while considering dog welfare.
Other Business – Proposal to discuss animal experimentation funding at a future meeting; Animal Aid offered to contribute at next meeting.
Meeting 2
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Attendees:
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Summary of the issues discussed:
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Meeting 3
Date of Meeting:
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Attendees:
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Professional lobbyists, voluntary organisations and charities the Group have met during the previous year.
[names of lobbyists/organisations/charities should be included as follows, e.g.]
Name of Organisation:
Dr Arnja Dale, Chief Scientific Officer, SPCA
New Zealand
Dr Alison Vaughan, Scientific Officer, SPCA New Zealand
Name of Group:
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Name of Organisation:
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Name of Group:
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Annual Financial Statement
Cross Party Group Title:
Animal Welfare
Date:
15/08/25
Name of Chair:
Carolyn Thomas MS
Name of Secretary and Organisation: f
Jamie Adair, Public Affairs Officer (Wales), League Against Cruel Sports
|
Title |
Description |
Amount |
|
Group’s Expenses |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Costs of all goods |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Benefits received by the group or individuals members from external bodies |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Any financial support or other support. |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Total |
£00,00.00 |
|
Services provided to the Group, such as hospitality.
All hospitality paid for [include the name of the group/organisation].
|
Date |
Name
and description |
Costs |
|
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N/A |
N/A |
|
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N/A |
N/A |
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Total |
£00,00.00 |
|