The Australian Canine Eye Scheme (ACES) has been implemented as a tool to deal with eye health problems in recognised dog breeds.

Responsible breeders know the value of testing for inherited diseases and for collecting and collating data. However the documentation for ACES has many statements and elements that should be of the gravest concern to all OZ, and even possibly NZ, dog breeders. (The fore mentioned documents are, "Information for Owners" and "Rules and Procedures" which can be found at the AVA website http://www.ava.com.au.)

As this Scheme is a proposed front runner for other schemes it is important to discuss and understand all the issues before other schemes are implemented rather than after - as ACES was. (Only very few breeders were aware of its implementation before the fact).

ALL persons are welcome to discuss the above issues, be they supporters, non supporters or people who are not convinced either way. All the pros and cons of the Scheme should be freely discussed, but please keep it civil and impersonal. Writers of emails that do not meet this criterion will be asked to reword their contributions.

There is a petition to abolish ACES at: http://www.gopetition.com/online/11286.html

Please read all the documentation, including April 2006 The Ringleader Way, ND, and if you have questions - ask. Hopefully you will get some answers that satisfy you. Then make up your own mind as to whether you wish to support the petition or not.

You can also write to your local breed clubs and carbon copy your letter to your national breed club, state control, state councillors, ANKC, ACES and the AVA. It is a good idea to include your name and State Canine Control registration number.

Breeders do have rights. Breeders do have power. Breeders are responsible for their breeds.

Responsible breeders have a duty to be informed, and to take a stand on issues that impact on their breeds.

Let's talk...