National Party Upper House MP Trevor Khan has backed Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall’s calls for Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce to “butt out” of the debate, and stop running commentary.

“My federal leader, Barnaby Joyce, like a few of my state colleagues, has opposed the decision of the state government to ban greyhound racing in NSW, I get it, I accept that people will oppose the decision, although I don't agree,” Mr Khan said.

“Having participated in the 2013/14 Legislative Council Inquiry into Greyhound Racing, and having taken the time to read the McHugh Report, I am comfortable the decision made by the NSW Cabinet is the only decision that can be made. 

“I know that the members of Cabinet had read the available evidence. I have sat in party meetings and heard Troy Grant and other Nationals ministers explain their decision. I am comfortable that they understood the gravity of their decision.”

Mr Joyce has already spoken publicly, stating he doesn’t agree with the state government’s ban on greyhound racing and believes there is a “better alternative”.

Mr Khan said that recent commentary has favoured emotion over facts.

“Sadly too many people who have contributed to this debate, including our Deputy Prime Minister, have failed to read the available evidence, too many have proceeded on either gut instinct or politics, or simply emotion,” he said.

“The evidence to the Committee was that Greyhounds is in irreversible decline, prize money is insufficient to cover costs, Infrastructure is rotting, tracks need improvement and dogs are dying or being maimed because tracks are badly designed, too tight or surfaces inappropriate.  

“Unfortunately there is no pot of money available to fix Greyhounds' many problems so that means the decision made by the NSW Government, to cease racing from July 2017 and provide financial assistance to those affected, is the only rational decision that could be made.”