MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
FROZEN SEMEN – THE WAY OF THE WORLD
Following consultation with the Australian Greyhound Veterinary Association, Stud masters, the National Greyhound Association of America and subsequent international meetings during the World Greyhound Racing Federation Conference, Greyhounds Australasia (GA) announced today that it has amended the definition of a frozen semen breeding unit, with effect from all sire collections after 1st January 2008.
The revised definition of a breeding unit is to read:
A "breeding unit of semen" means a unit of semen (phial or straw) constructed to contain not less than 100 million forwardly motile normal live sperm, post thaw at the time of freezing. A frozen semen breeding unit of semen may consist of all of the sperm from an ejaculate or from a split of the same ejaculate.
This alteration is consistent with practices that are adopted for collecting and freezing semen around the world, and in particular under the Camelot Farms freezing system. Greyhounds Australasia Chief Executive Officer, Craig Taberner said, “By Australia modifying its breeding unit regulations the National Greyhound Association of America has advised that it will again open up the international exchange of frozen semen between Australia and America. This is a great outcome for the industry and will allow Australian sires to capitalize on the US breeding market”.
Key industry participants indicated their endorsement with the change and provided the following comments.
Dr John Katakasi (Principal Vet Adelaide Plains Veterinary Clinic) said, “It’s great news for the Australian breeding industry that GA have amended the definition of a breeding unit in line with the world recognized Camelot Farms standard”.
Mr Geoff Collins (Stud master WattleTree Park) stated, “This is a very positive step as we now have a uniform worldwide standard accepted by all of the main greyhound countries, which of course, also opens up the US market to Australian sires”.
Mr Paul Wheeler (Leading NSW breeder) advised, “While it doesn’t effect me personally, it is a positive move for the Australian greyhound industry to once again have trading options with the US”.
If you have any queries regarding this change, please contact Greyhounds Australasia or your respective controlling authority.
MEDIA CONTACT:
CRAIG TABERNER
GREYHOUNDS AUSTRALASIA
PH: 03 9548 3500
