ridecamp@endurance.net: PMU: NAERIC letter

PMU: NAERIC letter

Jessica Tuteur (jessicat@napanet.net)
Fri, 15 Aug 1997 14:35:54 -0700

FROM THE HORSE: August 1997, Page 13, (www.thehorse.com)

LETTERS

The following was sent from the North American Equine Ranching Information
Council (NAERIC)

Editor

Pregnant mares' urine (PMU) ranching is both a responsible and progressive
ranching practice, according to a team of equine veterinarians representing
the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), the American Association
of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), and the International League for the
Protection of Horses (ILPH).

"The use of PMU horses to produce a commodity for the benefit of mankind is
responsible and justified, as long as the horses receive the type of humane
care observed on these farms," according to the May 1997 Equine
Veterinarians' Consensus Report on the Care of Horses on PMU Ranches. The
report is based on November 1996 inspections of 25 PMU ranches representing
a broad spectrum of the industry in Alberta, Manitoba, North Dakota, and
Saskatchewan.

"The report definitively shows that animal activists' claims regarding PMU
ranching are inaccurate and misleading," said Norm Luba, executive director
of the North American Equine Ranching Information Council (NAERIC). The
report concludes: "The ranchers took pride in their animals, and
Wyeth-Ayerst (a major pharmaceutical company who purchases PMU to use in a
hormone replacement medication) showed a commitment to continuing to improve
the standards of equine welfare on the farms. Based on our inspections, the
allegations of inhumane treatment of horses involved in PMU ranching are
unfounded. Generally, the horses are very well-cared for. The ranchers and
the company have responded in a progressive and pro-active manner to both
professional and public interest. Observations for improvement have been
taken seriously and continue to be acted upon by Wyeth-Ayerst and the PMU
ranchers. The public should be assured that the care and welfare of the
horses involved in the production of an estrogen replacement medication is
good, and is closely monitored."

The three internationally recognized equine welfare organizations were asked
to each designate an equine veterinary expert to observe the health and
welfare of the horses involved in the production of Premarin, a leading
estrogen replacement medication. The expert team included Arthur B. King,
DVM, President, Ontario Equestrian Federation, representing the Canadian
Veterinary Medical Association; Nat Messer, DVM, chairman of the American
Association of Equine Practitioners Equine Welfare Committee, representing
the AAEP; and Colin A. Roberts, BVSc, PhD, Senior Scientist, Centre for
Equine Studies at the U.K. Animal Health Trust and Senior Veterinary Advisor
to the International League for the Protection of Horses.

Luba explained, "These vets and their sponsoring organizations represent
broad expertise in equine care and management, and their report is a clear
signal about the high quality of equine care on PMU ranches."

NAERIC is a non-profit association representing ranchers in Canada and the
United States who are involved in the collection of PMU, a key source of
hormones used in the production of estrogen replacement therapy. NAERIC
seeks to provide accurate information on PMU ranchers and the ranching
practices they use in the management of their horses.
*****************************************************************
Jessica Tuteur
J-M Ranch
1393 Green Valley Rd.
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 258-1937 tel & fax

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