A director of a leading animal rights group says Opposition Leader Luke Foley told her that he would "love to end greyhound racing" but he couldn't as "it is Labor heartland".

Verna Simpson, the director of the Humane Society International, told Fairfax Media that Mr Foley made the statement at a round-table meeting in early 2015 at NSW Parliament House held to discuss the ALP's animal welfare policies.

"One of the things I asked him was would he consider losing greyhounds," Ms Simpson said.

"He leant across the table and said, 'I would love to end greyhound racing but it is Labor heartland'. That's what he said."