OPEN FORUM - Page 1

Can someone give a report on the open forum.
Thank you

It was informative, well Chaired, and wel attended. 

Clearly, from yesterdays meeting came the knowledge that the KC are becoming a very worthless "Old Boys Club" or a "Somerset House" for registrations unless they adhere to APGAW recommendations in the fullness of short term.., but before that happens, they are going to be a organisation difficult with the GSD folk as possible, and give nothing, almost playing cat and mouse, which is very unprofessional. However, I trust the GSD partnership insofar as they are seeing this, acknowledging it, but not giving up on it.  We all need to take solace in the fact that we have people in that partnership that are doing sterling work, we heard yesterday that one of the partnership had visited the Kennel Club 13 times in the last 12 months - no mean feat as a volunteer to assist us all.
We heard yesterday and had evidence of pro-active issues being offered to the KC - the professionalism of the Partnership didnt de-cry the response that has been given, but it was clear to the floor that nothing had been given back to us by way of clinical evidence for the K.C`s outrageous claims against us. 
There is a future for us, and a good one if we all stay focused and calm.  Never thought I would say that about this situation, but it is evident that the KC would take great delight from "headless chicken syndrome" running around trying to make large differences in a very short time.

Ann Harpwood has a very good saying
                                                      "You catch more flies with a honey pot than a hammer"

I would draw your attention to an article that I read and feel is excellent - and it is called  The Way Forward and it has been written by Daivd Payne of Videx.  Many people at the meeting had downloaded themselves a copy yesterday and it received unanimous support.   While we have passionate people amongst us, willing to put themselves out to find ways around things in a responsible manner, we must never forget that we are German Shepherds, not Alsations.   Why???   Because the people of that following left the Breed Council Meeting long before the Open Forum began - so what interet do they have.
Mo - Mascani.

In case some dont know about A.P.G.A.W. this is an Associate Partilmentary body - see the link below to the changes they are at present recommending, but willing to enforce........

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1i313/APGAWPedigreeDogHeal/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogmagazine.net%2Farchives%2F4299%2Fgovernment-report-in-to-pedigree-dog-health-a-slap-in-the-face-for-the-anti-health-campaigners%2F

All caring GSD folk have been asking and trying for the KC to recognise health issues such as HD and hip status and as such not register puppies from un-checked parentage.   They may get past us, as they have in the past for many years - but let them try to get past government legislation.......    
Mo - Mascani

I read that report in great detail when it first came out, completely endorse it’s recommendations and then I listened to an interview with Caroline Kisko on the contents and my heart plummeted again. She was talking about consolidating but they are waiting on the Bateson report before moving forward. It’s due out in January 2010. I don’t doubt for one minute that the ‘powers that be’ are taking a great interest in this and if the KC are to survive, they will HAVE to change.

Well said Mark3.    Mo

After all the negativity from the doom and gloom merchants in previous threads, I know its not a gracious thing to say but  what the heck, "I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!"     Sometimes, just like the song says, 'You just gotta have faith, faith, faith' !!

Glad I went prepared,  armed with copy of APGAW Enquiry, it certainly enlightened many who never knew it existed before yesterday. Understandably as they had never read it, most had no concept of just how bad the KC were already looking in the corridors of Westminster. I had mentioned it in my quote to Dog World last Tuesday but hadnt really thought that so many of you were unaware of it, so please forgive me for not enlightening you to it earlier, had I known I would have done  as I had a copy of it sent to me some weeks ago, not long after it was made public, I automatically (and wrongly) assumed many more of you would have also.

 Excellent post summing up the meeting from you Mo  .

All the best
Sue

The APGAW inquiry report was covered in OUR DOGS online 4th November, The day I placed it on my website. it was in OUR DOGS newspaper on the 5th November. It is a very long report, and I would strongly recommend people to read it. It is a very interesting and a very well written report.
 
To date, only 33 people have visited my APGAW webpage, and only 13 have downloaded the pdf file. So it clearly has not attracted the interest is should have, particularly from Pedigree Dog breeders. The APGAW inquiry report will bring about considerable changes.

UPDATE: I am delighted to report 337 people have downloaded the Apgaw inquiry report from my website during one day = Sunday 22nd November.

I am also very pleased to report. my article "RISING TO THE CHALLENGE" will be published in our next GSD National Magazine. It will also be published in DOG WORLD, and hopefully OUR DOGS. It may also be published in Germany in "Das Schaferhund Magazin".
I give full permission for it to be published, printed, circulated. (unedited)

I hope it will assist in developing a much better future for our GSD breed here within the UK. Other breeds are showing interest in what we are doing. The concept of Pedigree Dog Breed Clubs taking on a much stronger role for their breeds future, particularly for health and welfare is encapsulated within the Apgaw inquiry report. It is also encapsulated within the "Accredited GSD Scheme". Many breeds of pedigree dogs could have their own breed accreditation scheme, containing similar principles.

Our GSD Breed Survey stands out amongst pedigree dog breeds as a shining example of a genuine and measurable scheme for the health & welfare of a breed. The article "RISING TO THE CHALLENGE" quite rightly places our GSD Breed Survey at the very heart of its proposals. The proposed "Accredited GSD Scheme" is without a doubt fundamental to our breeds future, and meets the criteria identified by the Apgaw inquiry report, unlike the heavily criticised "KC accredited breeders scheme", which is fundamentally and very seriously flawed.

UPDATE: I have now received confirmation, the article "RISING TO THE CHALLENGE" will be published in the German magazine "Das Schaferhund Magazin" in both German and English languages.