The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party has opened the barriers and introduced greyhounds into the New South Wales state election campaign.

Key points: Greyhound racing is back on the political agenda in the lead-up to the NSW election

Greyhound racing is back on the political agenda in the lead-up to the NSW election The Shooters and Fishers Party Upper House candidate Mark Banasiak wants to push for millions more in prize money

The Shooters and Fishers Party Upper House candidate Mark Banasiak wants to push for millions more in prize money Greyhound racing is a contentious issue with former NSW Premier Mike Baird being forced into a major backflip in 2016 after he tried to ban the sport

The Government's decision to axe greyhound racing in 2016 caused a major change in fortunes for former Premier Mike Baird and his deputy Troy Grant, leading to a compromising backtrack and the ultimate loss of a by-election in the rural seat of Orange.

Shooters Upper House candidate Mark Banasiak said if the party had the balance of power in the Parliament after the election it would push for changes and millions more in prize money.

"We want to inject $25 million," Mr Banasiak said.

"It's money that is already there from point of consumption taxes, we will distribute the revenue more equitably."

He is proposing the greyhound industry claim the full market share of the dividends from racing, redirecting money now paid to horse racing and harness racing.

Mark Banasiak says more money would improve the industry. ( ABC Illawarra: Sarah Moss )

He's also calling for the state to adopt a breeding policy for the animals.

"It's about maintaining a sustainable level of greyhounds in the industry, not necessarily over breeding or under breeding," he said.

The industry says there are no responsible breeding incentives or policy so breeding volumes have collapsed.

It says the industry cannot be sustained if it doesn't have racing volumes.

SFF said it planned to will develop a plan that maintains present racing and allows for "growth and expansion".

Mr Banasiack said the party also wanted a formalised re-homing program for the dogs — "providing funding so that when greyhound dogs are finished there is support to go into a loving family home".

The party is also calling for track upgrades through a capital investment program.

Still a hot button issue

The Government provided $500,000 for the code last year to fund the richest dog race in the world in Sydney — the "Million Dollar Chase", but anger remains.

Geoff Rose from the Greyhound Breeders and Owners Association of NSW said the issue would be a big election decider for many.

"They haven't forgotten what Mike Baird, Troy Grant did to them," he said.

"It nearly destroyed people's lives. So it has never gone away. It's definitely a big issue in the upcoming election."

The SFF says it wants more effort put into into finding homes for retired greyhounds. ( ABC Illawarra: Kelly Fuller )

Mr Rose said additional prize money would be a major boost for the code.

"The horse racing industry benefits from the greyhound racing industry now because of the scheme of distribution," he said.

"Greyhounds actually generate 21 per cent but they are only paid about 13 per cent of the revenue."

He said the industry also needed help to boost numbers.

"The breeding at the moment is very stagnant because no one is breeding.

"We realise there are animal welfare problems and we have made major improvement and continue to work on them."

Mr Rose said there was a good GAP (Greyhounds as Pets) program, but he believed a formalised structure would help.

The ABC approached both the NSW Government and Opposition for a response.