Greyghound racing looks set for a major shake-up, after the sport was discussed in the Animal Welfare Bill in the House of Lords this week.

Its governing body, the National Greyhound Racing Club, needs radical reform if DEFRA, the government's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are not to become involved in a big way.

During an hour-long debate in the Lords, Lord Rooker, chairman of DEFRA, warned: "The NGRC needs radical changes if external regulation is not to be imposed."

He also said he believed it had an image problem and was seen as some kind of exclusive closed shop.

The NGRC was told that its policy of self-regulation must end and it has been given one last chance to change its policies, including welfare issues, before DEFRA steps in.

The welfare of greyhounds has been a hot topic since the alleged Seaham killings in County Durham, where it was claimed thousands of dogs had been killed with a bolt gun and buried in a field.

Greyhounds should only be put down by a qualified vet.

Lord Rooker criticised the NGRC for its lack of retirement records, adding: "The industry must be accountable for what happens to these dogs and there must be a better system for identifying dogs."

Meanwhile, a new grass-roots greyhound welfare organisation set up specifically to address the welfare of the dogs, has submitted a radical report to the parliamentary inquiry set up after the Seaham revelations.

The Greyhounds' Voice comprises 19 members and is chaired by former champion trainer Linda Jones.

Among their recommendations for change are for vets to be independently employ- ed (not by the tracks themselves), portable X-ray machinesat every track to minimise subsequent discomfort for injured greyhounds, a large on-site observation cage and a reduction in the length of kennelling time, especially in hot weather.

Another controversial idea is to have a three-day minimum gap between races for individual greyhounds.