Hi Peter and all,

Please forgive me for poking my nose in at this point, however I was just
sitting at the computer trying to condense, sort out and type up a document
to send out to our state breed clubs in order to answer just the questions
you are asking, in time for their response prior to the National Breed
Council Conference June 28.

I will put it down in point form so it's as clear as can be for everyone.

(1) Yes, there have been sustantial amendments to the original Information
For Owners and Rules And Procedures documents.

(2) However, there are still several issues that have previously been listed
in several places by many different groups as "points of concern".

(3) Earlier in April Dogs Victoria ran an information seminar for people
that had concerns about ACES. Following this seminar Dogs Victoria wrote the
letter that I have uploaded into the files - this letter has been sent to
all state canine councils and the ANKC. It is listed in correspondence for
the NBC Conference and will also be on the agenda of the full ANKC
conference in October. I believe there have been similar concerns voiced by
Dogs NSW, CCCQ and TCA.

(4) I have also uploaded the motion for the NBC Conference in relation to
ACES that the National Labrador Retriever Council has moved. As you can see,
this motion contains very specific points, however there are more general
concerns that will probably still exist, even if the motion is carried and
achieves its aims eventually. As a Labrador person, I would really
appreciate anybody and everybody informing their NBC Conference delegates of
their views on this motion, so there can be a knowledgeable and constructive
debate on it at the Conference.

(5) People from other states may not realise that ACES has a lot more
implications for Victorians than previously - the following phrase is
written in the suggested Code of Practice to be attached to the State Govt
legislation covering breeding from dogs that can suffer from CEA (amongst
other diseases).

"With Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) the approved breeding program must submit
all litters before 8 weeks of age for certification by ophthalmologists
appointed to the AVA-ANKC ACES Panel, to identify and remove any puppy that
is adversely affected by the condition."

This Code of Practice has not yet been finalised and the eventual outcome is
anybody's guess, however this is a quote from the relevant section in the
response from Dogs Victoria.

"DOGS Victoria strongly opposes the inclusion of the requirement that all
litters must be submitted before 8 weeks of age for certification by
ophthalmologists appointed to the AVA/ANKC ACES Panel; to identify and
remove any puppy that is adversely affected by CEA.



We believe it to be an unnecessary restraint to require litter screening, or
any other screening, to be performed exclusively by any particular group of
specialists."

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments about all of this.
By the way, I have obtained advice that putting the documents that I have
uploaded into the public domain is perfectly acceptable, as the entire
agenda of the NBC Conference (which includes these documents) should be in
the process of being distributed to all state clubs (and their members) by
the National Breed Council secretaries.

Regards,

Sylvia Power




> Dear Mim and Leah
>
> May I impose upon you both to give me/list members an update on where
> we are at with ACES?
>
> When you live in the country and don't get to mix in person with
> those involved/informed you only get 'bits' of the current situation.
>
> I have heard Roberston has amended his documentation to remove/amend
> ALL the text we were concerned about? Is that true and has the
> revised ACES documentation been subseqeuently endorsed by the ANKC?
> (That would mean I assume it would have had to be put to all breed
> clubs and their NBCs which I have seen no evidence of).
>
> As there is an ANKC Combined NBC Meeting in June in Sydney it would
> be good for all of us that have an interest in this matter to ensure
> that our NBC is fully aware of what is happening and are being
> proactive in ensuring that our concerns are being addressed.
>
> My email may show my lack current understanding of what is happening
> and for those who are better informed please accept my apologies.
> However for those of us who remain concerned but 'in the dark' may I
> ask you to let us know what you know of the situation?
>
> With best wishes
> Peter Cook
> Balinfern Collies
> balinfern.com
>