Chief Steward Hoses Down Positive Swab Talk

GWIC Chief Steward Wade Birch has shot down speculation that the industry is currently grappling with an excessive number of positive swabs.

Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) Chief Steward Wade Birch has shot down speculation that the industry is currently grappling with an excessive number of positive swab results.

In recent days rumours have reached fever pitch regarding the supposed spike in positive swabs been dealt with by the Commission, an assertion Birch was quick to pour cold water on.

"I've heard the talk but can say that the matters we are currently dealing with are within the normal range of matters under our sampling program," Birch said.

"I'm not sure the origin of the rumours but in reality they don't do the industry any favours.

"All I can comment on is what has come by my desk and as I said I don't consider what we're dealing with to be abnormal."

While dispelling rumours of an influx in positive swabs, Birch took the opportunity to remind participants of their responsibilities at a time where testing regimes have never been more sophisticated or rigorous.

"As a regulator we would always prefer the rate of positive swabs to be lower,” Birch said.

“To this end we intend to engage with industry to achieve this in the future, having regard to the fact that a large rate of positive results originate due to husbandry failures."

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