GBOTA Lashes Out Over NPR Cost Roll Out

THE NSW GBOTA has taken to social media to lambast the announcement by the Greyhound, Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) of its plans to pass on the costs of Nose Print Recognition (NPR) Technology to participants.

Late on Friday afternoon, GWIC issued a media release, outlining the regulatory arm's planned move to NPR in response to the cessation of ear-branding from November.

The media release included a range of benefits that GWIC says will be derived from the technology's implementation which will serve as a secondary identification process to support microchipping.

But for owners and breeders it was the proposed costs which was cause for concern, with GWIC revealing a $25 annual subscription fee per greyhound will be charged for all greyhounds registered with a NSW owner.

Furthermore, the cost of litter registrations will increase from $65 to $310 to cover the costs of the initial NPR identification process.

The announcement led to the NSW GBOTA issuing a stern response on behalf of owners, trainers and breeders in New South Wales, staunchly opposing the cost hike to participants.

"The NSW GBOTA would like to express our strong disapproval regarding the recent announcement regarding nose print recognition and its associated costs, made at 4:30pm on Friday, September 27, 2024," a GBOTA spokesperson said.

"During a recent meeting, GWIC sought GBOTA's input on the costs associated with the nose print recognition program. 

"We made it abundantly clear in our correspondence with Mr. Steve Griffin, that we DO NOT support the transfer of these costs to participants, who are already facing prize money reductions and rising cost of living expenses due to economic inflation.

"While we recognise the potential benefits of this technology as a progressive step for the industry, we believe it is imperative to adopt a more commercially viable approach. 

"The implementation of such initiatives should not adversely impact participants; rather, it should be structured to generate financial benefits for the industry as a whole.

"We urge GWIC to consider the implications of this decision and advocate for a solution that supports our participants rather than burdening them further."

Following news of the looming impost, a raft of breeders have come out against the move, with many now considering their future involvement in the sport.

"This is the straw that broke the camel's back," one breeder, who asked not to be named, said.

"In recent years it's just been cost hike after cost hike.

"And to add insult to the back pocket, NSW breeders are being asked to absorb this additional fee when it's the only racing jurisdiction in the country which doesn't have a program to support breeders."

In responding to the backlash, GWIC CEO Steve Griffin said he was sympathetic to the additional cost impost but its implementation "is not to hurt the industry, but to instead protect it" from anti-racing movements.

"We understand this comes at a time that is a perfect storm for breeders," Griffin said.

"They have been faced with a number of challenges all at the same time and we are sympathetic to that.

"The fact is GWIC doesn't have the budget to absorb the additional costs for NPR. 

"We will still be cross-subsidising a lot of the registration process and hopefully in time, and as more jurisdictions come on board with the technology, the costs will come down.

"While GWIC acknowledges the cost burden, it's important to recognise the range of processes that will be streamlined and reporting measures to GWIC which will be greatly reduced with this technology."

While the technology will begin rolling out in NSW in November, it's understood other states and territories are advanced in moves to adopt the technology also.

It's understood in the vicinity of $400,000 has already been spent in advancing the technology, with the annual cost set to range between $183,000 and $600,000 over the next five to six years.