Mark Ruskell MSP has introduced this Member’s Bill. It aims to make Greyhound racing illegal in Scotland.
This is a Member's bill
The Bill was introduced on 23 April 2025 and is at Stage 1
This Bill is at Stage 1 of the process to decide if it should become an Act.
The Bill will make it illegal for someone who owns, or is responsible for, a greyhound or a racetrack, to race, or allow the racing of, a greyhound on an oval racetrack in Scotland.
Most tracks used for greyhound racing are oval in shape. The Bill also allows the Scottish Government to regulate to make it illegal to race greyhounds on other types of tracks. For example, this could include making it illegal to race greyhounds on a straight track.
If someone is convicted of an offence under the terms of the Bill they may be subject to a fine or prison sentence. The court may also impose other penalties. These include:
Mark Ruskell considers that there is an inherent, evidence-based, risk of injury or fatality to greyhounds involved in racing on oval racetracks.
He believes that existing animal welfare measures have not sufficiently protected racing greyhounds from harm.
His view is that the Bill will protect and improve the health and wellbeing of greyhounds in Scotland.
Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill as introduced (864KB, pdf) posted 23 April 2025
Explanatory Notes (187KB, pdf) posted 23 April 2025
Policy Memorandum (250KB, pdf) posted 23 April 2025
Financial Memorandum (208KB, pdf) posted 23 April 2025
Delegated Powers Memorandum (141KB, pdf) posted 23 April 2025
Statements on legislative competence (109KB, pdf) posted 23 April 2025
Explanatory Notes (246KB, pdf) posted 23 April 2025
Policy Memorandum (325KB, pdf) posted 23 April 2025
Financial Memorandum (275KB, pdf) posted 23 April 2025
Delegated Powers Memorandum (208KB, pdf) posted 23 April 2025
Statements on legislative competence (162KB, pdf) posted 23 April 2025
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.
A research briefing will be published in due course.
The Bill was introduced on 23 April 2025
At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.
The lead committee for this Bill is the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee.
The lead committee will usually examine the Bill through evidence sessions. This will involve contributions from individuals and organisations, known as 'witnesses', with knowledge of the subject matter. The committee might also discuss the Bill in private sessions.