AHA RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT 2009 CONVENTION

Below is the text, as amended, of resolutions 3-09 and 4-09 that were approved unanimously at the 2009 AHA National Convention.
Prior to action by the delegates, the resolutions were approved, all unanimously, by the following:
    AHA Board of Directors
    Ethical Practices Review Board/Probable Cause Panel
    Equine Stress, Research and Education Committee
    Registration Commission
    Task Force on Genetic Diseases

RESOLUTION #3-09
SUBJECT: Add Disclosure of Cerebellar Abiotrophy to the AHA Code of Ethics
SUBMITTED BY: AHA Task Force on Genetic Diseases
STATUS: Active

Whereas,Cerebellar Abiotrophy (CA), also known as Cerebellar Cortical Abiotrophy, is a recessive, genetic, neurological condition found almost exclusively in Arabian horses that renders affected animals unusable and often necessitates euthanasia; and
Whereas,Researchers at the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory of the University of California, Davis (UCD) indicate that CA affects a significant number of horses every year, and
Whereas,Both carriers and some affected animals are potentially capable of reproduction; and
Whereas,In September, 2008 Researchers at the UCD Veterinary Genetics Laboratory announced the development of an indirect DNA test to help determine if a horse is a carrier of CA; and
Whereas,The availability of this test has resulted in the voluntary public disclosure of multiple carrier and affected animals; and
Whereas,Article 303 of the Code of Ethics and Sportsmanship (EPRB) states "(1) In every situation, the welfare of the breed shall be paramount over all considerations. The best interests of the Arabian Horse must be the criterion in all transactions...(5) Members and their employees or agents should be fair and honest in all transactions involving horses and should not make any false or misleading statements concerning horses offered for sale or breeding."; and
Whereas,A lethal or debilitating genetic defect is by its very nature detrimental to the Arabian breed; and
Whereas,Article 304 of the Code of Ethics and Sportsmanship (EPRB) has previously placed a duty to disclose known SCID carrier status of breeding animals since 1984; and
Whereas,It is in the best interest of the Arabian Horse to also educate owners and breeders about CA so as to encourage responsible breeding practices. Therefore, Be It
Resolved,That Article 304. Rules of Conduct, section 7, be amended to read as follows:
"7. Members shall not offer a horse capable of reproduction for breeding, transfer of ownership, or lease if the horse is known to such member to be a SCID carrier, and cerebellar abiotrophy (CA) carrier or to be affected by CA without disclosure of that horse's SCID or CA status to all parties to the transaction.
8. An owner of any mare that produces affected SCID or CA offspring shall immediately notify the stallion owner of a foal's positive SCID or CA diagnosis and cooperate fully with the stallion owner's reasonable efforts to verify that finding."; and Be It Further
ResolvedThat if other resolutions at the 2009 AHA Convention are passed that also amend the language of Article 304, that the staff of the Arabian Horse Association shall be empowered to edit for grammar, style and clarity so as to give full force and effect to all such resolutions.
Effective:December 31, 2009

RESOLUTION #4-09
SUBJECT: Add Disclosure of Lavender Foal Syndrome (LFS) to the AHA Code of Ethics
SUBMITTED BY: AHA Task Force on Genetic Diseases
STATUS: Active

Whereas,Lavender Foal Syndrome (LFS), also known as Coat Color Dilution Lethal (CCDL), is a recessive, lethal neurologic disorder affecting some bloodlines within the Arabian breed, and
Whereas,Cornell University has recently developed a direct DNA test for LFS that will become commercially available to owners in the very near future; and
Whereas,Article 303 of the Code of Ethics and Sportsmanship (EPRB) states "(1) In every situation, the welfare of the breed shall be paramount over all considerations. The best interests of the Arabian Horse must be the criterion in all transactions...(5) Members and their employees or agents should be fair and honest in all transactions involving horses and should not make any false or misleading statements concerning horses offered for sale or breeding."; and
Whereas,A lethal or debilitating genetic defect is by its very nature detrimental to the Arabian breed; and
Whereas,Article 304 of the Code of Ethics and Sportsmanship (EPRB) has previously placed a duty to disclose known SCID carrier status of breeding animals since 1984; and
Whereas,It is in the best interest of the Arabian Horse to also educate owners and breeders about LFS, so as to encourage responsible breeding practices. Therefore, Be It
Resolved,That Article 304, Rules of Conduct, paragraphs 7 and 8, be deleted and replaced with the following:
"7. Members shall not offer a horse capable of reproduction for breeding, transfer of ownership, or lease if the horse is known to such member to be a SCID or Lavender Foal Syndrome (LFS) carrier, without disclosure of that horse’s SCID or LFS status to all parties to the transaction.
8. An owner of any mare that produces affected SCID or LFS offspring shall immediately notify the stallion owner of a foals' positive SCID or LFS diagnosis and cooperate fully with the stallion owner's reasonable efforts to verify that finding."; and, Be It Further
Resolved,That if other resolutions at the 2009 AHA Convention are passed that also amend the language of Article 304, that the staff of the Arabian Horse Association shall be empowered to edit for grammar, style and clarity so as to give full force and effect to all such resolutions.
Effective:December 31, 2009