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 Quote:
Originally Posted by Fishbreeder  Howdy Steve,
I am under so many "government programs" now I don;t see how another will make a difference. I understdn the gooberment is going to have thier nasty fingers in my pie. I got no choice. What I've problems with is that now the AKCA is in a huge power grab that will result in things as bad or far worse than the gooberment's meddling.
Lets me see now....BHP say we all gotta buy Isreali vaccine. BHP says we all gotta buy a particular brand of disinfectant. BHP says we gotta all do this, that and the other thing. When that happens, it is a slippery slope indeed. It is power that is at stake, the power of control over the trade in koi. No hobby organization should have such power (other than the traditional means such as boycott).
How many CARREER fish culturists are on the BHP board? How about CARREER fish dealers? One thing to get a buncha well educated folks together, another to get a buncha well experienced folks. For me, it takes both. No vet is going to understand the day to day grind of a fish farm or fish shop like the person that lives it does. Without the "man in the tenches", humint, if you will, the program will be rife with holes and pitfalls.
Yep, voluntary, but do not participate and you are going to be an outcast.
What happens when (and it will be "when" and not "if") KHV fish are sold from a BHP certified facility?
And its not the US gooberment we should be concerned with. It is the FAO that can and possibly will, stop the trade in koi. Nothing to do with folks getting cheated out of thier money or saddened by the loss of some pets. Everything to do with food sources for Third World people that depend on carp production for thier very survival, not for thier entertainment. Food for billions or expensive pets for a few rich folks in the Western World. Which do you beleive the FAO will choose?
I do beleive we need to do something. But regulating the koi trade is a bit much for a hobby group to undertake. OTOH, there is the power of the written word. AKCA through KoiUSA does indeed have the power to shed light into the darkness. They refuse to use it in the name of political correctness and vested interests. EDUCATE your members. EXPOSE charlatans. Use the power already at your disposal.
I do beleive we need a way to ferret out the charlatans from the "real" thing. It is as much an ethical as a biological issue. Unethical purveyors of koi need to be exposed as such, no matter how big an ad they buy.
I've other ideas as to how such an august group as has been compiled by the BHP program could be put to effective use without trampling on the folks who are in business. But for another post.
I have tremendous respect for the AKCA, and am thankfull for thier years and years of service to the koi collecting community, but I fear this thing (BHP) might change all that, and not for the better.
Brett |
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Brett, there, as typical, not many factual points of yours that I disagree with. That being said, there are points you make that are not necessarily factual either. The BHP is simply a "BETA" program and according to Spike's post subject to change based upon INPUT from participants. The is no mention of otstrasizing non participants either. As a businessman myself, I also agree that a program to have teeth it must also be economically feasible. Issues such as these that may (or may not) exist in the Beata program must have that input mentioned previously by those who know...the dealers/breeders.
I have heard almost nothing but complaints concerning this program from the proffesional sector and to my knowledge (which is of course limited as I am not involved) and little in the way of actaul participation or improvement suggestions. Everyone knows that there is a problem that needs to be addressed yet few are attempting to do anything about it on an organized scale and even fewer are attempting to become involved with those that are attempting to do something? I would suggest that this gives off an even more negative appearance to end consumers than the non participation to begin with.
Another personal perception of mine is that those who are vocally against the program are for the most part those same people who I believe do the best jobs in this area and could offer the most to the program in perfecting such for the benefit of all.
If their are "issues" within the program, offer solutions to go along with the critisisms. Just my personal opinion to all.
Oh, and on the subject of the AKCA and KOI USA? Hmm, as I read KOI USA, I see many, many, many articles on the subject of KHV, QT etc. I also see many programs by the AKCA in educating as well. As for "exposing charlitans"? I would "almost" bet that the editor would review any submissions (as I believe is done with all submissions) in this area and if legally sound include such. The problem then becomes someone getting those legally defensible facts and submitting such. To date, I personally have not seen such reporting from non involved individuals.
Then, as a hobbyist I would also have to ask myself what useful purpose would that exposure serve? Punishment? To who? The dealer involved? The dealer who's business is most likely already financially crippled? Or to serve as notice to other dealers that they too could be "exposed" if they were to act in a similar fashion? Hmmmmmmm, so Brett, you recommendation would seem to be "threatening through disclosure" verses complaints about non participation in the BHP program that you (and others) could help modify/create?
I think too many emotions are coming into play verses honest interaction and problem solving. buy hey....just an outsiders personal view.
Steve