Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn has urged the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to address greyhound racing in Northern Ireland. He points to recent votes in Scotland and Wales to ban the activity.

Flynn notes that Northern Ireland lacks dedicated legislation for greyhound racing. The industry operates without required transparency or accountability, he says.

No official data exists on injuries or deaths among greyhounds in Northern Ireland. Flynn states that DAERA provides no proper oversight. Evidence from other areas shows greyhounds suffer injuries and deaths on tracks each year.

Belfast City Council previously requested action on the matter. The DAERA minister responded that it does not rank as a priority. The minister added there is insufficient time left in the current mandate to act.

Flynn calls this response inadequate for an industry involving animals under the minister's animal welfare responsibilities. He warns that postponing until the next mandate endangers more animals.