We hereby transcribe for our net users a circular from the APSL dated 5th March and sent to all their associates:
“CIRCULAR Nº 255
Dear Sirs,
It is with regret, but with concern for transparency and accuracy, that we are writing to our associates to let them know of an occurrence that we deem very serious.
Our Secretary-General, who also assumes the functions of Technical Secretary, was informed by an anonymous call that our partner Sociedade das Silveiras, represented in the Association and also on the Board by Mr. Manuel Braga, had used a stallion from the breed Cruzado Português for the purposes of breeding and declared its products as being offspring of a Lusitano stallion, rightly registered in our Stud-Book.
On the same day as the call, we received a first report from our Technical Secretary informing us of the measures taken that day. The report concluded that the Alter Laboratory of Molecular Genetic received a blood sample of a horse identified as JUPITER. As the report questioned the blood belonging to the Cruzado TORNADO, a buckskin, the Laboratory was asked to verify if the DNA matched that of JUPITER’s parents (DARDO II and ZAGAIA), which it didn’t match, according to previous information that is awaiting confirmation.
This fact being a confirmation of the denunciation in the report, we reported the occurrence to the Alter Real Foundation, as well as to the Fiscal and Disciplinary Council for the correct action to be taken.
We can also report that, in the meanwhile, our colleague on the Board, Mr Manuel Braga, has already asked for his mandate to be suspended.
Unfortunately, it is not necessary to explain how serious the consequences will be for the credibility of our Stud-Book if a quick and thorough investigation of this occurrence is not carried out.
We are all aware that the international recognition of the credibility of the records of our breed makes it imperative to treat this matter with urgency and seriousness. If the suspicion is confirmed, we will, without hesitation, take the necessary measures to ensure the annulment of the registering of the products resulting from that breeding, which could be a few dozen.
We also regret that in the days that have passed since we received this call we have also been notified that this subject has been talked of for some time now. If this is true, we regret that those who knew didn’t inform us, as should be the obligation of any associate. It is, indeed, both the statutory and ethical obligation responsibility of all of us to be guard the good name of breeding and veracity of the records.
We will keep our associates properly informed of the progress of this process.
With our sincere regards,
Cascais, 5th March, 2008
The President of the APSL Board
Eng. Manuel Maria de Souza e Holstein Campilho”