Regards,
Bruce Hansen
president at angfa.org.au
Please visit us at http://www.angfa.org.au
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Collom" <dcollom at powerup.com.au>
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2000 9:54 AM
Subject: Hybrids
> Hi folks,
>
> Most of us seem to have about the same idea about the hybrid situation -
> that it
> is inevitable that some people will dabble in trying to produce
> 'interesting' mutations, and that there will always be those who seek to
> gain commercially from that.
>
> My thoughts are that reacting strongly to the currently visible hybrids
> will not produce any useful result, and most probably would be
> counter -productive, highlighting the possibilities , and
> providing challenges.
>
> I think that what may be the smart thing for us to do, as some small part
> of this hybrid trade is now visible, is to quietly and subtly, with
> articles in our publications, and in other publications such as PA&WG, and
> in discussions from time to time at club meetings etc, create a culture
> that it is 'uncool' and irresponsible to breed, sell or buy hybrids.
>
> If enough people are provided with good sound reasons why it is not smart
> to participate in such trade, without any 'thou shalt not' pronouncements,
> breeding hybrids could be confined to that small band of individuals who
> always swim against the tide anyway.
>
> I've thought about writing to the trade associations laying out some good
> reasons to act responsibly, and not foster a hybrid breeding industry.
> However, on sober reflection on the number of recalcitrants in the
industry, as
> well as the responsible ones, I realised that too would be a waste of
> time, and possibly a stimulus to some of the intransigents in the trade.
>
> What we have not done, in recent years anyway, is to put out any solid
> statements or association viewpoints on the cross breeding topic. Possibly
> expanding on the subject in the code of ethics, in future editions of the
> handbook etc, would help.
>
> We are quite well regarded as a group by a substantial proportion of the
> fishkeeping public, so should use that reputation to ensure that our
> viewpoints about issues like cross breeding are as well known as our
> position on other topics like importation.
>
> If enough people are able to reasonably assess the situation, and to put
> across their viewpoints to those retailers who have hybrids in their
> store, a good result longterm is possible without any of the silly
> recriminations about restricting commercial opportunities we've had
> levelled against us in the past by members of the trade.