MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE USE

GREYHOUNDS AUSTRALASIA TO DEVELOP NATIONAL POSITION ON MICROCHIPPING

Greyhounds Australasia (GA) has agreed to the formation of a sub-committee to source intelligence on the pros and cons of microchipping greyhounds and to promote a uniform position on the matter.

The committees’ findings and subsequent recommendations will provide clear direction to the greyhound racing industries in Australia and New Zealand.
The greyhound racing industry has grappled with the microchip debate for many years and GA recognises varying views exist on this topic. With the potential for various government directives to be forced upon jurisdictions in the industry, GA has decided to take a proactive approach by committing to extensive research on the matter. Any resulting position taken by GA will be purely evidence based.
The initial members of the sub committee will be GA CEO Craig Taberner (Victoria), veterinarians Dr Chris Doyle (South Australia) and Dr John Newell (New South Wales), Paul Marks (South Australia), Jeremy Kennerley (New Zealand) and John Stephens (Victoria).

The sub-committee will source intelligence on:

• current medical and veterinary opinion about microchips
• information capacity, reliability, mobility, integrity, security and supply of microchip
• investigate equipment required, and training for inserters
• computer systems associated with storing microchip data
• financial obligations for participants and controlling bodies

Greyhounds Australasia Chief Executive Officer, Craig Taberner said, “The formation of the sub committee shows GA’s ongoing commitment to monitor the environment for opportunities and threats, and ensures our industry remains abreast with changes internationally.”

“Findings from Greyhound Racing South Australia’s two year microchip study and the Vietnam experience of Dr John Newell are expected to prove invaluable.” 

If participants have comments they wish to provide in respect of microchipping greyhounds they are encouraged to provide a submission to the sub committee.

Submissions should be sent to Craig Taberner, Chief Executive Officer, Greyhounds Australasia, PO Box 239, Springvale, Victoria 3171 by no later than 11 April 2008.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Craig Taberner
Greyhounds Australasia
PH: 03 9548 3500
E-mail: admin@galtd.org.au