Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has been advised that a leading Australian breeder, Mr. Jim Fleming, has requested the Australian Stud Book register a foal that was produced as a result of an embryo transfer. The TBA opposes the request.

The rules adopted by the International Stud Book Committee do not permit the registration of foals that are born as a result of an embryo transfer and as the Australian Stud Book is a member of the International Stud Book Committee it is bound by these international rules. If the Keeper did decide to register this foal the decision would jeopardize the international recognition of the Australian Stud Book and all the horses in it.

The Keeper of the Australian Stud Book,Mr John Digby, recently forwarded a discussion paper on the subject of embryo transfers to the International Breeders Meeting held in Kilkenny, Ireland. The meeting, which included the President of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia Mr. Richard Turnley, unanimously rejected any proposals to register any foal born as a result of an embryo transfer and this motion was forwarded to the International Stud Book Committee who also confirmed that the rules would remain unaltered.

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia abides by the democratically made decisions of the International Breeders Meeting and believes that the Australian Stud Book likewise abides by the rules of the International Stud Book. Therefore and quite simply, any request to register a foal born as a result of embryo transfer must be opposed and denied.

It must be noted that the TBA is not opposing the registration on the basis that there is anything inherently wrong with the technique of embryo transfers This technique is widely and successfully carried out with other animals. At this stage, the Thoroughbred Breeding Industry has not adequately debated the advantages and disadvantages of embryo transfers and a properly formed view has not been reached. It may well be that the industry may eventually reach a view that embryo transfers can be of net benefit to the industry but this position has not yet been reached and the TBA strongly supports the current ban on the registration of embryo transfer foals. The TBA is not afraid of any debate on this subject nor is it opposed to any improvements in  veterinary practices that would benefit the breed. In this regard it is ahead of many other breeding countries who tend to be more cautious in openly debating such issues.  However, regardless of the relative pace of debate in the various breeding countries, the TBA supports the current international rules until such time as they are changed at an international level.

Richard Turnley

President    

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia

For further information please contact the TBA office.... 

James Peters 02 48695 283 or 0419 279078