CODE OF PRACTICE UPDATE 20/11/2019
One of GRV’s roles as a regulator is to guide and support participants to meet the various obligations and responsibilities as they relate to their participation in greyhound racing, including those outside the Rules of Racing such as the Victorian Government’s Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds.
If you have questions about the Code of Practice, please call Racing Services on 03 8329 1100, email [email protected] or fill in the form below.
EHMP Renewals:
Under the Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds (The Code), every property where active greyhounds are kept, requires a valid Establishment Health Management Plan (EHMP). EHMPs document your planned approach to many aspects of caring for racing greyhounds, such as vaccination programs, dental management, preparing greyhounds for retirement and more.
Every EHMP must be reviewed annually by the person in charge of the establishment, and must be renewed every three years, even if no changes are required.
As EHMPs have been required since January 2020, many will expire in the coming months. It is important to remember that without a valid EHMP, you are in breach of the Domestic Animals Act and the Code, and may face penalties.
How to renew your EHMP:
Please examine your EHMP to work out when it expires.
A template EHMP which was designed to be compliant with The Code, can be found here. If you do not wish to use the template, you can design your own, but you must ensure it is Code compliant.
Please note, when renewing your EHMP, you must have a new copy signed; it is not acceptable for expired EHMPs to have new dates and signatures added.
If you do not have a printer, you can obtain a blank copy from your nearest Greyhound Racing Club.
Once the relevant sections are completed, it must be signed by the person in charge of your property, and a registered vet.
Then, it must be declared online, by clicking the ‘submit’ button found above on the right.
You do not need to send your completed EHMP to GRV; it must be kept at the property and be presented on request by a Steward or GRV Officer.
For more information, updated FAQs can be found below.
If you are unsure about any of these requirements, contact [email protected], or phone Racing Services on 03 8329 1100, and you will be directed to someone who can assist.
Need more blank protocol pages? Click here to download a single blank protocol page that you can save, copy, complete and print as many as you need.
Keeping Greyhound Records now even easier!
A Greyhound Record is created in FastTrack for all greyhounds bred in Victoria, and can be accessed from your MyDogs page once a greyhound has been added to your FastTrack kennel (Kennel Return). To use Greyhound Record on FastTrack, log in to your account at fasttrack.grv.org.au.
Some participants choose to keep these health and veterinary treatment records on paper, so to make this process more straightforward, GRV has now made available a simplified manual template that participants can use, along with a handy reference table of Injury, Illness and Health Management event types, locations and treatments that matches the options in FastTrack.
For more information on the Greyhound Record, or to request printed copies of the simplified Greyhound Record template:
- call Racing Services on (03) 8329 1100
- email at [email protected]
- visit Downloadable Templates – Greyhound Record below
- enquire at your local greyhound race club.
FAQ: Everything Code and EHMP
Please find below frequently asked questions relating to Code of Practice, EHMP (Establishment Health Management Plan), Vets and the Code of Practice as well as the Greyhound Record.
View FAQ | Download PDF
Your Feedback is important to us!
Please complete GRV’s short anonymous survey on Code Learning & Support here to let GRV know how useful and accessible the Code of Practice information & support materials have been for you in becoming Code ready.
For comments: Since 17th October 2019, the Greyhound Record has been available for use. In order for GRV to identify improvements, we need your help. Complete the following online form to provide your feedback on the Greyhound Record.
Note: Discussions between GRV and Animal Welfare Victoria have confirmed that you are not required to submit your EHMP to GRV. You are only required to submit the EHMP Declaration.
Downloadable Templates
Greyhound
Record
- Template – Simplified Greyhound Record
- Guide – Using the Simplified Greyhound Record template
- Guide – FastTrack: Access the Greyhound Record and Add an Event
- Guide – FastTrack: Vaccinations and how to Print the Greyhound Record
- Guide – Completing the booklet Greyhound Record
- Template – Booklet Greyhound Record
Emergency Greyhound
Welfare
Videos
FAQ: Everything Code and EHMP
Please find below frequently asked questions relating to Code of Practice, EHMP (Establishment Health Management Plan), Vets and the Code of Practice as well as the Greyhound Record.
The Code of Practice
What is the Code of Practice?
The Code of Practice has been in effect since 1 Jan 2020 and sets out minimum standards for the accommodation, management, breeding and care required to meet the needs of a racing greyhound throughout its life.
Why is there a Code of Practice?
The Code of Practice was developed by the State Government after an investigation by Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer into aspects of the greyhound racing industry.
The new Code of Practice covers the whole lifecycle of a greyhound, from whelp to retirement.
What do I need to do to comply with Code of Practice?
- Read the Code and become familiar with its main concepts
- Use the Establishment Health Management Plan (EHMP) template to create an EHMP for your establishment (or have created your own)
- Had a Vet approve your EHMP
- Complete the online Declaration (to confirm that you have an approved EHMP)
EHMP (Establishment Health Management Plan)
What is an EHMP?
An Establishment Health Management Plan (EHMP) is the collection of Protocols that describe how an establishment is managed, and how the greyhounds at that establishment are cared for. These must be reviewed annually and renewed every three years.
Who has to complete an EHMP?
Anyone who is the Person in Charge (PIC) of at least one racing greyhound needs to complete an EHMP for their establishment – and get vet approval of their EHMP.
I am at a property with other participants, but I use separate facilities. Do I need my own EHMP?
Most properties only need one EHMP, even though more than one participant is registered at the property.
However, where participants are operating out of separate facilities (different kennel blocks, food preparation areas etc.), multiple EHMPs will be required.
The person who completed the EHMP for the property where I kennel my greyhounds is now disqualified. Is the EHMP they signed still valid?
No. For an EHMP to be valid, the participant who signed it must be a current, registered participant.
So, when a participant does not renew their GRV registration, or if they become disqualified, any EHMP they signed will automatically become invalid. When this occurs, another active participant at the property must create a new EHMP.
However, an EHMP is not invalidated if a participant is suspended.
I only have retired pet greyhounds at my property. Do I need an EHMP?
No; retired pet greyhounds are not considered ‘active’, but greyhounds retired for breeding are.
If you plan on caring for active greyhounds at your property in the future, you must ensure an EHMP is created and declared online before doing so.
My kennel address is different from my home. Do I need an EHMP for both addresses?
If you keep active greyhounds at your home as well as a separate kennel address, both properties must comply with the code, have a valid EHMP and be approved by GRV.
An EHMP can only cover a single property, so if you keep greyhounds at two addresses, you must have two valid EHMPs.
What if I change address?
An EHMP created for one property cannot be transferred to a new property. If you change address, you must create and declare a new one, unless there is a valid EHMP already in place; signed by another participant at the property.
How do I complete an EHMP?
We recommend using the EHMP template developed by GRV. It contains the protocols you need for compliance with the Code of Practice.
Alternatively, you can design your own EHMP, however you must ensure it complies with the Code of Practice and is suitable for your establishment.
Your EHMP must be reviewed by a registered vet, and both you and your vet must the declaration (found on page 1 of the template). Your vet must also initial each relevant ‘protocol’.
I don’t have a printer. How can I obtain a physical copy of the EHMP template?
Printed copies of the EHMP template can be obtained from greyhound racing Clubs, or from Stewards visiting your property.
If you are unable to obtain a copy from your Club, please contact Racing Services on 03 8329 1100.
I already have an EHMP for my property, but it has expired. Can I just get the vet to re-sign the original?
No, you cannot just change the date and re-sign your old EHMP; a new EHMP is required.
Any EHMP signed more than 3 years ago is expired.
My vet and I have signed my new EHMP, what do I do now?
Once you and your vet have signed the ‘Summary Page’ of the template, or the EHMP itself if you have made your own, you must then complete the online declaration. This will let GRV know that your new EHMP has in place.
You do not need to send GRV a copy of your new EHMP, but you must have it available at your property for inspection if requested by a Steward or other GRV Officer.
Vets and the Code of Practice
What do Vets need to do under the Code of Practice?
Section 4.2 of the Code sets out the role of the vet (and the agreement between a vet and a participant), but everything else is an expectation of the participant.
Do EHMPs need to be approved in person?
No. Participants can prepare an EHMP and send it via email or mail to a vet for approval (although you would need to confirm the vet’s fee with them before you did so).
Does the approving vet have to be a participant’s usual vet?
No. Any vet can approve an EHMP, if they approve of the protocols in the EHMP.
Greyhound Record
What is the Greyhound Record?
It’s similar to an eHealth record on FastTrack which will record all health care and veterinary treatments given to a greyhound during its life.
Is it part of the Code of Practice?
Yes. The Code of Practice requires every greyhound to have a Greyhound Record from whelp.
What do I use the Greyhound Record for?
To record health “events” for the greyhound. Examples of health events include: if the greyhound gets an injury or illness for which they then receive treatment; or if the greyhound is given vaccinations, supplements, or worm treatments.
How does a greyhound get a Greyhound Record?
All greyhounds on FastTrack have already had a Greyhound Record automatically created for them.
How do I access them?
Either:
- Click on the name of any dog on your “My Dogs” page, then click on the “Greyhound Record” tab on the right
Or:
- Click on “Actions” for any dog on your “My Dogs” page, and choose “Greyhound Record” from the menu
What if my greyhound is from Interstate?
If you submit a kennel return for an interstate greyhound, a Greyhound Record will automatically be created for the greyhound on FastTrack. This should be used while the greyhound is resident in Victoria.
Who will have access to the Greyhound Record?
Only the person who has completed a Kennel Return and has the greyhound located in their kennel, (the Person in Charge), will have access to the Greyhound Record.
Do I have to use the online Greyhound Record on FastTrack?
No. You can use any form of paper or electronic record, as long as you capture the information required.
What if I've been given a copy of a greyhound’s record on paper, but I want to use the online version?
You will need to keep the paper-based records as evidence of the greyhound’s health events prior to you receiving it.
If that greyhound moves from your establishment, you need to give a copy of its paper Record to the next person in charge, so they have the greyhound’s full health history.
What happens to the Greyhound Record when the greyhound moves to a new establishment?
Once the new Person in Charge completes a Kennel Return, access to the Greyhound Record on FastTrack is automatically passed along to them.
Once that happens, you will not be able to view the Greyhound Record for that dog again. You should ensure that you download or make a copy of the greyhound’s
Record for your own records before this happens.
You should also make sure copies of any paper records for the greyhound go with the dog to its new establishment.
Can I upload an attachment to the Greyhound Record?
No. There is no way to upload any kind of file to the Greyhound Record. If you have health event-related paperwork for a greyhound, you should keep copies, and remember to pass a copy on to whoever will be the next Person in Charge of the greyhound.
What if I make a mistake when adding an Event to the online Record?
There is no ability to edit, amend or delete an event once it has been saved to the Greyhound Record, so you will need to take care when entering information and submitting an Event.
Can I edit an event after I have saved it to the online Greyhound Record?
There is no ability to edit, amend or delete an event once it has been saved to the Greyhound Record, so you will need to take care when entering information and submitting an Event.
What if the greyhound receives treatment arranged by someone who doesn’t have access to the Greyhound record?
An example of this would be a Breeder who subcontracts out the whelping of a litter. Information about any health events or treatments should be passed to the Person in Charge of the greyhound (who does have access to the Greyhound Record), so that they can enter and save these events to the Greyhound Record.
If you have additional questions about EHMPs, please contact GRIU on [email protected], or phone Racing Services on 03 8329 1100.