REFORM UK Ms Shadow Minister for Food Farming and Rural Affairs Laura Anne Jones, has called on the Welsh Government to give an unequivocal commitment that horse racing will not be targeted next, after the First Minister refused to rule out a future ban in the Senedd.

Her comments follow the Senedd’s decision to ban greyhound racing and growing concerns over Plaid Cymru’s stance on horse racing.

Ms Jones said: “The First Minister had a simple opportunity to reassure the thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on horse racing. Instead, he refused to rule out a future ban. That silence speaks volumes.

“After Plaid overwhelmingly backed banning greyhound racing, people are right to ask whether horse racing is next. When the leader of Plaid Cymru at Westminster has already expressed support for banning Grand National style racing, these concerns cannot simply be dismissed.

“This is about more than one sport. It is about a government that too often puts ideology ahead of evnidence and ignores the huge contribution rural industries make to Wales. Horse racing supports jobs, tourism, local businesses and communities across the country.

“Animal welfare must always come first, but there is a sensible balance to be struck. Reform supports high welfare standards while backing the rural industries that thousands of Welsh families rely on. The Welsh Government should end the uncertainty today and make it absolutely clear that horse racing has a future in Wales.”

This comes after Reform UK Wales leader Dan Thomas warne that any move towards restricting horse racing could put at risk an industry worth an estimated £4.6 billion to the UK economy.