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19.
Professor Calls For
Lifting Of AI Ban
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07/03/2003 |
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A
respected international breeding industry figure has called for the abolishment
of the worldwide ban on artificial insemination for thoroughbreds.
Professor Twink Allen, head of England’s Equine Fertility Unit at
Newmarket, rocked the 29th Asian Racing Conference in Auckland when he claimed
the that use of veterinary advances and technology that allowed stallions to
cover large books of mares was effectively AI in another form.
"AI hasn't disintegrated other equine codes such as standardbreds and it's
an issue that we can't just keep walking away from," Allen told the
conference.
"I say why not inseminate when there is so much trouble gone to by using
other technology.
“It is happening by the back door anyway - 300 mares a year by shuttle
stallions is AI by the back door as it is using technology in much the same way.
"We are the laughing stock among other breeds in not even being willing to
talk about it."
Allen, father-in-law of Frankie Dettori and a world-renowned equine expert, said
he did not think AI techniques would lead to an explosion in the use of some
stallions.
"I don't think the number of mares covered would rise above current levels.
It's a myth that hundreds or thousands of mares would be serviced artificially
by one stallion."
John Digby, keeper of the Australian Stud Book, replied to Allen’s call by
declaring the introduction of AI would have a dramatic impact on the need for
top European stallions to travel to Australasia for the southern hemisphere
season.
Figures compiled by Digby showed that 64 shuttle sires covered 5261 mares in
Australia last year, or 22 per cent of the total.
The busiest shuttle sire Giant's Causeway, added 108 mares to the 213 covered in
Ireland.
Conference chairman Murray Acklin told delegates that the International Stud
Book Committee did not support AI.
"Until there is a wide body of opinion among breeders that want AI"
said Acklin, "there will be no move to make regulatory changes.
“The ISBC's duty is to record foalings, not the means by which they
eventuate."
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