An article in The Sunday Business Post, an Irish national publication, on 27 November referred to the Bord na gCon being in advanced talks about running greyhound racing abroad which are expected to progress in 2012. Apparently, there are opportunities in other European countries, China, India and other emerging markets.
Betting is illegal in China but apparently horse racing is springing up and we suppose that illegal betting is only a short step away. Chinese animal protection groups are opposed to the development of greyhound racing in China on a national level. It would help their position if we could register our opposition to greyhound racing (and cheetah, horse, camel and ostrich racing for that matter!) with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. Please consider sending a letter along the following lines to the Embassy in your country:
Ø Greyhound racing would not be a viable business prospect for a prosperous emerging market such as the People’s Republic of China. Greyhound racing in Ireland, the home of racing, is reliant on government subsidies to survive.
Ø Greyhound racing is connected with gambling and the ills associated with it, an activity which is already illegal in the People’s Republic of China.
Ø As a middle class develops in an emerging economy, they are more likely to seek alternative and more sophisticated forms of entertainment.
Ø The greyhound industry is responsible for thousands of surplus greyhounds, which presents a significant animal welfare issue.
Ø A respected nation would not want to have its international reputation tarnished by the neglect of vast quantities of discarded racing dogs. Dealing with this inordinate number of unwanted and straying dogs would pose another enormous financial cost for the Republic.
The address to write to for the UK is:
Ambassador
His Excellency Liu Xiaoming
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
49- 51 Portland Place
London
W1B 1JL
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