23 Greyhound Forum News   The welfare groups represented on the Greyhound Forum held several meetings to decide how we should all reply to the           consultation by DEFRA (the government department concerned with Animal Welfare) on their draft regulations for the care and welfare of racing       greyhounds.   In the opinion of the welfare groups (of which GIN is one) these regulations are seriously deficient and, in their present form will not result in any improvement. We have made a very detailed response of which the leading elements are that there should be no self-regulation by the racing industry; that           regulations should apply to all tracks, whether or not registered; that all dogs should be protected and traceable from cradle to grave and that vets at tracks must be wholly independent and trained in greyhound treatment.          Our letter to Peter Hall at DEFRA follows -   …………DEFRA consultation on proposals for Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 We are writing to voice our concerns about animal welfare issues relating to the racing greyhound industry. The principal activity of this charity is directed towards rescuing greyhounds in Spain but   we also rehome greyhounds in the UK and are founder members of the Greyhound Forum The UK gambling industry is supported by 30,000 racing greyhounds plus at least as many again being prepared for racing. In an industry whose objects are the entertainment of   racegoers and the promotion of gambling, the welfare of the animals they use must take     precedence. The regulations as currently drafted will not meet this requirement and will not prevent the unauthorised and unnecessary destruction of healthy dogs. We believe that regulations must be introduced to ensure better protection for greyhounds and that this should cover them throughout their entire life – from cradle to grave, not just whilst at race tracks or trials.  All aspects of welfare within the greyhound industry, from breeding and transportation to handling, racing and retirement, and final euthanasia need to be comprehensively improved. Any licensing system should not just cover tracks where races and trials are held but also trainers’ and breeders’ kennels where racing greyhounds spend the majority of their lives. It is important that animal welfare is given proper consideration and an independent       properly trained vet should always be present at all race meetings and trials and have        the proper facilities and expertise to assess and treat greyhounds effectively.