Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Media Release, 1 September 2021

The Greens have introduced a bill to parliament that would ban the export of greyhounds from Australia for commercial purposes including breeding and racing. The Customs Legislation Amendment (Commercial Greyhound Export and Import Prohibition) Bill 2021 comes following years of reports of horrific treatment of Australian dogs in greyhound racing across the world. The trade goes on: between 2016 and 2021, 1,313 dogs were exported from Australia.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens spokesperson for Animal Welfare, said:

“A ban on commercial greyhound export is long overdue.

“Greyhounds from Australia are routinely being sent overseas to race, and often end up in countries where there isn’t a semblance of animal welfare protection for these poor dogs.

“Greyhound export might make a buck for the industry in Australia, but the welfare of the dogs is routinely sacrificed at the altar of profitability and gambling revenue. 

“This is a simple reform and an important one. It will put a stop to a completely inhumane practice that has caused far too much suffering for far too many dogs. I hope other politicians can support this important step for animal welfare.

“No matter what the industry says, neither the welfare of the dogs, nor where they end up, can be guaranteed after they are exported. The only sensible and appropriate measure is to shut down the trade altogether.

“More and more people in Australia see greyhound racing for what it is: gambling-fuelled animal cruelty. These beautiful dogs should be running for fun, not their lives.”