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Chinchilla Industry Council  Buenos Aires, September 4th, 2009 The meeting was opening by Chairman Carlos Perez at 22:30. Roll Call:  Carlos Perez (Chairman / Brazil), Hector Aleandri Vice Chairman / Argentina), Rogerio Oliveira (South American Dress Brazil), Eduardo Martinez (South Americans Dress Argentina), Brent Poley (Treasure / Canchilla /Canada) Cecilia Maria Acosta in state of Guillermo Holzer (Institute Chile)   Minutes of St Louis, it was read by Secretary Cecilia Acosta, the Chairman ask for the approval of the minutes The motion was passed by Rogerio Oliveira, seconded Hector Aleandri with the full approval of those present.   Following with the Treasures Report by Brent Poley, who give to all the members a copy and read it for the record:  Period from Feb 13, 2009 to Aug 26, 2009 The Treasurer Report as read was accepted.  The motion was passed by Eduardo Martinez seconded by Cecilia Acosta for Guillermo Holzer, with full approval of the present.   Brent Poley had received a letter from Fur Institute of Canada with the annual report in which they assured their work, on animal welfare and furbearer conservation &, the magazine from Sportsmen’s Alliance. Letter r from the Board of National Association of Chinchilla Breeders, Myslenice, Poland in which they thanked the CIC for the donation that it was used for: Seminar / Chinchilla Show / Work shop and tanning / Breeder’s Brochure. Brent Poley then made the motion for the application of a new member Marek Nowak, representing Poland, second Rogerio Oliveira, with full approval of those present.  Hector Aleandri continued with the up date of the web page and said this is working good under the circumstance that they still have more work to do, but he is very optimist that the work will be done in time. Brent Poley asked Hector Aleandri how is the situation again with the Vegans, because few a months ago they had the Rural. Which Hector answered   (Argentina chinchilla Breeders Assoc.) They had made 10.000 brochures for the public, right now they still working strong, but everything as a cost...  Eduardo Martinez moves to the donation to Sportsmen’s Alliance. Rogerio Oliveira, with full approved of the present. Moving  on to the new  funding proposal, Brent Poley had send by e mail this proposal , so the members could study it and for the non present to had a voice too. He received a positive answer from, Bill Booker (past empress rep.) and Guillermo Holzer, who are not present at the time, and a verbal discussion with Ralph Shoots:  This proposal sent, had been discussed and conceptualized with the Chairman Carlos Perez. The main idea is to increase the 10 cents currently collected to 20 cents / Canchilla will in turn match the additional 10 cents, which will bring the total per skins support to 30 cents. Noting the Council has been funded at the same level for 20 years now, while trying to fight our industries problems with less to fight with. Canchilla will donate with confirmation the extra money will be spent on promotion of Chinchilla skins, as was one of the founding ideas in our charter. Set aside money for future unseen problem (like vegans in Brazil)/ these funds would be used to finance seminars  in the  country  that donated and would be free to the rancher our funder...The rest of this proposal will be attached to the minutes  for more details. Like the response from the non- attending member. Brent Poley made the motion, seconded Hector Aleandri, with full approval of those present and the members who replay by e-email. Moving  forward the proposal that was made  at the last meeting where they had voted for the web cam conference, Brent Poley said that it’s sound interesting but its seen that we did not realize a couple of interesting points  like that more than a few members are  not yet Skype ready.  Hector noted that we are going to lose  privacy that some one who is not members possibly would has access ( like a Eco Terrorist)  Thus  Brent Poley  proposal to a committee Including Patricia Perrin; Fernando Aleandri  and Cecilia Acosta for further exploring the possibility and practical set-up, motion made by Brent Poley, seconded Rogerio Oliveira, voted and  approved by all those  present.                            Brent Poley address to Chairman Carlos Perez and Vice Chairman Hector Aleandri, it’s seems  that in the last meeting only  one of them was  present , as was in the past the meeting was going to take place one on  each continent, to say that the next meeting will take place during the ECBC National (would many members attend)  its not easy one because  the dates conflict with the time of Milan Fair, and question would there be a suitable representation of the  entire Chinchilla Industry Council. So his proposal is to have a committee between the Chairman Carlos Perez, Vice Chairman and him self and to discuss where and when its going to take place the next meeting , motion made by Brent Poley , seconded Rogerio Oliveira , passing with the full vote of the present. The Chairman thanked the vice Chairman and his wife for the hospitably and letting them to have the meeting at his house. The meeting closed at 23:33

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Chinchilla Industry Council

 February 28, 2009 St. Louis, MO 

Guillermo Holzer opened the meeting at 9:15 p.m. following the banquet.

Roll call:  Guillermo Holzer (Chile), Patricia Perrin-Sullivan (Mexico), Ralph Shoots (large rancher), Anita Holzer (for Eduardo Martinez- South American Dressers), Roger Clark (ECBC), Richard Ryerson (MCBA), Fernando Aleandri (Argentina).  Guests – Dan Jansen and Tom Carpenter

 

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CIC’s Meeting, Porto Alegre, 27th September
2008

Session opens at 18:45.

The opening was given by Chairman Carlos Perez to 2nd Meeting of the year which at the some time has to be the 20th Anniversary of ChilaCenter.

The agenda was approved and passed by Carlos Perez, seconded by Hector.

First the readings of Minutes of March 2008 by Secretary Cecilia Acosta, at the end Carlos Perez ask for the approval of it. The motion was passed by Brent Poley, seconded Hector Aleandri.

Before the start of the Treasure Report, Brent Poley made confirm for the record that Nat Berkowitz had received the money that was missing in the last report.

A little observation by the treasurer was that in the old fashion way they usually received support from other Institutes or Groups, now we don’t get anything from others accept Canchilla.

After the point made, Carlos Perez gives the welcome to a new member from Argentina Eduardo Martinez for Dressing South Americans

A motion presented by Cecilia Acosta seconded Rogerio Oliveira and with the approved of all the present members.

Follow with the Roll Call:
Chairman Carlos Perez, Brazil
Vice Chairman Hector Aleandri, Argentina
Treasurer Brent Poley, Canchilla Canada, NCBC
Rogerio Oliveira, South Americans Dressing, Brazil
Cecilia Acosta for Guillermo Holzer, Institute of Chile, AG
Eduardo Martinez, South Americans Dressing, Argentina
Roll Call was approved and passed by Carlos Perez, second Brent Poley.

Correspondence: We have received the letter from Sport Alliance to thanks for the donations that they have received from CIC.

Following with the unfortunate news that Patricia Perrin has lost her grandson in a terrible accident, Brent Poley suggested to send a Card signed by all the present member to make common cause, at the some time to make a donation in name of Mike Sullivan something that it is normal to do in Estates Unites like in Canada, all the member agreed with this suggested and the donation of US $ 100.00, motion made by Brent Poley, seconded Eduardo Martinez.

Web Page: Hector Aleandri reported to all of the present members that he is still working on the translation in to English and there is not any spending. Beside this, he showed some of the publishing that have been added lately again by the Eco-Terrorist.

Donations and bills to pay: Brent Poley had received a request from the National Chinchillas Breeder’s of Poland a letter that was read to present member which made referent about their work that involved regulars lecture reflecting the topics of chinchilla breeding, influences to the fur quality and the issues of skin finish and the practical part consists of periodic workshops about slaughter skinning and optimized pre-tanning. Brent Poley suggest the donations of US $ 2,000.00, motion passed to Rogerio Oliveira, seconded Eduardo Martinez with the full approval of the member.

Brent Poley continued with a new idea, the involved how to get more money and not just wait for him to get more skins .This is a donation that I will make in time; the aim is to record the experience in this industry like my father how he begin, or Ralph Shoots about finish, Gary Neubauer about beige and large rancher.

Follow up on Vegans – Report: Hector Aleandri met with the furriers and the dealers about the eco-Terrorists and have formed a group to work together against the eco-Terrorists. They are trying to reflect to the people the lies the eco-Terrorists have told them and are trying to campaign against them. They have already placed articles in Argentina’s largest newspaper and wish to set up more advertisements in the newspapers and on billboards about how the animals are not killed and skinned like to eco-Terrorists have lead the people to believe. The eco-Terrorists main goal is not about the animals but about the money and the reason Argentina is being hit so hard by them is because Argentina is one of the few South American countries whose weather has enough of a climate change to wear warmer fur jackets. Aleandri had said that this is a fight we must fight now and this is the only way to win. .

Market Report: Brent Poley said that you must live under a rock if you do not know of the economic situation right now in the world and in the United States. So far the fur business has been doing well.

The next meeting will be in St. Louis in March of 2009 during the ECBC. Motion made by Rogerio Oliveira, seconded by Eduardo Martinez.

The meeting closed at 20:13.

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CIC’s Meeting, St Louis, March, 2, 2008
Session opens at 19:34

Roll Call: Guillermo Holzer, Chile
Vice Chairman: Hector Aleandri, Argentina
Tony Andeway, Empress Chinchilla
Patricia Perrin, Mexico
Sue Kiseskey, for Nat Berkowitz
Pete Kiseskey, Sullivan Dress, USA
Ralph Shoots, Large Ranch
Rogerio Oliveira, South Americans Dress, Brazil
Treasurer: Brent Poley, Canchilla, Canada

The agenda was approved and passed by Guillermo Holzer, seconded by Hector Aleandri. Roll Call was approved and passed by Guillermo Holzer and seconded by Patricia Perrin.

Correspondence: we have received the letters from Reported Sport Alliance and America Medical Progress

Where they want to make sure to keep good contact and show the important progress, with the research in the medical campus. Doctors are focused on more progress in the animals search .

Web Page: Hector Aleandri, reported to all the present members that they had Up Dated the web page and paid for one years for the rights to the new designs . They even got support from Mexico about the Vegan, which is a really a good sign, but they have one concern that they can not translate in to English. So at which new situation he asks suggestions. At this, Patricia Perrin suggest to give the work to a student or teacher to do which could be good if the work is done fast, answered Guillermo Holzer. They decided to continue during Donations.

As continuation about the translation of the Web page, the members conclude that the work should be done by a specialist. At this Pet Kiseskey presented the motion, seconded by Patricia Perrin with the approval of all the other members.

Artificial Insemination: Rogerio Oliveira starts off by telling his gratitude to Bill Booker, he received from Bill Booker some special instrument that will help with insemination. They continued on with the stage of frozen semen. It is not easy, but they are almost there. They think that in a couple months it will be possible to start the insemination. The females, after giving birth, are in heat. They think that at the end of the year, they will be able to give more details and with the material that they have they are more confident in success.

Again Rogerio thanks Guillermo Holzer for his support to his brother and himself during their stay in Chile. They stayed for five days, and during those five days they collect, in different areas, feces from the wild chinchilla. They did not find any proof of Giargia.

Market Report: By Brent Poley. We are in the best year of demand and of price. Chinchilla will continue to be strong if we do not push the line and become too greedy. Really, it is not possible to predict the future of chinchilla, but we hope that it will stay strong.

Next meeting will be in Argentina in September. The exact date will be given at a later time.

The meeting adjourned at 20:20

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CIC meeting - Porto Alegre, October 2007
Session opens at 12:20 pm.

Roll Call: Chairman: Carlos Perez, Brazil
Vice-Chairman: Hector Aleandri, Argentina
Treasurer: Brent Poley, Canchilla, Canada
Rogerio Oliveira, Curtidos South Americans, Brazil
Patricia Perrin, Mexico
Guillermo Holzer, Chile
Pete Kiseskey, Sullivan Dressers, USA
Nat Berkowitz, Furrier, NY
Sue Kiseskey, Empress Chinchilla
Secretary: Cecilia Acosta-Poley


The agenda was approved and passed by Carlos Perez and seconded by Guillermo Holzer. Roll Call was approved and passed by Guillermo Holzer and by seconded Patricia Perrin.

The minutes for the last meeting in March, 2007 at St Louis were read to the attendees by Cecilia Acosta; the minutes as read were accepted; the motion was passed by Brent Poley and seconded by Rogerio Oliveira.

Correspondence: From the Mexican breeder Associate ASE. We are pleased to make known that our stand in the Congress of the Confederation of livestock-farming in Mexico was very successful during the 4 days, with more than 150 visitors.

Report from Web page: Franco Aleandri told the council members that this is still working very well. He has made some changes for the second meeting in Porto Alegre and for the threat from the Eco-terrorist to the Argentine breeder.

Insemination Report : Rogerio Oliveira said that the investigation continued in the same stage, but he has hope to give a different report in the next meeting .In reference to Marina Ponzio , he was pleased to say that they were working together.

Guillermo Holzer, who has contact with Marina Ponzio, said that her investigation continued in the same stage with one interesting point that the female, during post-pregnancy, was eager to get pregnant again.

Future Council Project: Lately Chinchilla Fur has been the favorite in all the fashion shows around the world, so because of this the demand for quality is important. A few of the council’s highest ranking South American members want to incorporate a new judging rule about the hair length of the animal’s fur but only in the end stages of judging to the award winning animals. This would be done by touching the animals to check density and length of the fur.

Election of Officers: The election will continue the same with Carlos Perez as chairman and Hector Aleandri as vice-chairman.

The next meeting will be at San Louis in March, 2008. The exact date will be given at a later time.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

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OLIVEIRA, Rogério G..1; OLIVEIRA, Rafael G.2; OLIVEIRA, Ricardo G. 3 ; FIALHO, Cristina. G.4; ARAUJO, Flávio A.P.5

ABSTRACT

Chinchilla lanigera is a native rodent from Chile, and its commercial breeding started in the USA. Since the eighties, there has been a natural reserve, in Chile, where this species is protected. Feces samples from 220 Chinchillas, from a commercial breeding, and 35 samples of chinchillas, from Reserva Nacional las Chinchillas, were collected and submitted to the Faust and Collaborators Test. The total amount of positive samples for Giardia sp. cysts was 36% in the commercial breeding. All of the samples from the animals in the Reserve were negative.

INTRODUCTION

Chinchilla lanigera is a rodent that, long ago, inhabited a great extension of the Cordillera of Chile, 400 to1,500 meters above see level; in a climate that suffers variations from 0 to 30°C. The genus Chinchilla belongs to the Chinchillidae family and has two species; C. lanigera and C. brevicaudata (NEVES, 1987; LINDEN, 1999).
Some historians appoint the interest of Chinchas Indians - that is probably from where the name comes - in these animals; using pelts for warming, hair for weaving and meat for feeding. After the the Incas domain over the Chinchas, they were forbidden to wear the pelts that were related as a symbol of superiority of the Inca royalty.
The world's first breeding was initiated by an American called Chapman; who brought, to the USA, 12 specimens from Chile in 1923 (ALEANDRI, 1998; LINDEN, 1999). Over years, in captivity conditions, these animals were improved through a process of discerning genetic selection with matings; being, today, very different from the few samples seen in nature. Wild chinchillas are approximately 26 cm long and weigh as little as 350 grams, whereas the ones in captivity reach up to 30 cm and 600 grams. (NEVES 1987; LINDEN 1999).
Since 1983, there is a natural reserve, in Chile, that protects Chinchilla lanigera. It is the Reserva Nacional las Chinchilas, located 15km from Illapel, in Vale do Choapa. This area has an extension of 4,229 hectares; and approximately 6 thousand Chinchillas live in this habitat, sheltering in cactus and on rocky ground (CONAF, 2008).
Diseases in breeding chinchillas are most commonly caused by errors from the breeders themselves, regarding food, water, hygiene of cages and constructions, wind, among others; mainly reflecting in bacterial, fungal and parasite problems. Of the parasites problems, two diseases caused by protozoa are mentioned in literature, giardiasis and trichomoniasis (ALEANDRI, 1998; LINDEN, 1999).
Giardia sp. is a flagellated protozoa that lives in small intestines of many animal species, including man. This protozoa has two forms: trophozoite and cyst. Cyst is the resistant form in feces and environment (NEVES, 2005). It usually does not cause clinical signs to its host; however, in certain conditions, it can replicate and acquire virulence, causing clinical cases of acute or chronic diarrhea and poor intestinal absorption (REY, 2002). For chinchillas these conditions may be stress, change in management, alteration in intestinal flora or other weakening diseases. Feces of healthy adult chinchilla are cylindrical, around 1 cm long and 3 mm of diameter, with round edges, firm consistence and dark brown color. Diarrhea is detected through the observation of soft feces that adhere to the recipient used for bathing chinchillas, and the lack of shape in the feces found in the shave. The clinical signs that can be observed are lethargy, bended posture, opac eyes, weight loss, intermittent diarrhea with or without blood and mucus. In cases of high parasite charge, prolepse of rectum and intestine may occur, but mainly in young animals (LINDEN 1999).

Material and Methods

The animals used were from a commercial breeding, in Viamão, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil; and from the Natural Reserve de las Chinchillas, IV Region (Coquimbo), Chile, with the permission of Corporation Nacional Floresta (CONAF), Unidad de Gestion Patrimonio Silvestre, IV Region.
On the commercial breeding, feces from 220 chinchillas were collected (110 adults and 110 young), for the diagnosis of Giardia sp., from May 2006 until May 2007. The feces were promptly carried to the laboratory and kept refrigerated until put to test, in the same day of collection. In the Reserve, 35 feces samples of chinchilla were collected directly from its habitat, during 5 days, from 26 until 30 of May 2007. The exams were done at the office of the Reserve.
The feces parasitological method used was "Faust & collaborators". The positive diagnosis was based on the presence of Giardia sp. cysts that were also counted (cysts/field) with use of 20x objective lens, in optic microscope.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Healthy chinchillas have a relation of 1-2 cysts per field. When it shows more than 5 cysts per field, it clinically has the Giardiasis disease. Chinchillas debilitated by Giardia sp. are more susceptible to infections that can lead to death (ALEANDRI, 1998; LINDEN, 1999).
From all the samples analyzed in the commercial breeding (graphic 1), 64% (140/220) tested negative; from that amount, 64% (71/110) of adults and 63% (69/110) of young chinchillas resulted negative. The total amount of positive animals for Giardia sp. cysts was 36% (80/220), from witch 36% (39/110) were adult and 37% (41/110) were young chinchillas. Using Chi-Square test, there has not been any relevant correlation between age and the result on Faust & Collaborators Test (p=0.8885).
From the commercial breeding samples, only 8 chinchillas showed more than 5 cysts per field, being the majority between, 1 and 3 cysts per field. Many books report the presence of this protozoa in chinchilla, however only one research for presence was found, with 8% positive in 250 chinchillas investigated by the same method (GURGEL, SARTORI; ARAUJO, 2005).
From the Reserve samples, none tested positive for Giardia sp. cysts. This result suggests that, in the wild, these animals are not infested by this agent. This could be due to regional climate conditions; witch possibly reveals that Giardia sp. is not part of the natural flora of chinchilla, like literature indicated until today.
On the other hand, the positive results detected in animals in captivity can be explained by the fact that many animals were gathered in a restricted environment, witch could facilitate the dispersion of infecting forms of the protozoa.

CONCLUSION:

Chinchillas in this commercial breeding showed Giardia sp., mostly, in small quantities of cysts per field, witch do not cause illness; exception made to 8 adults that resulted in more than 5 cysts per field. No Giardia sp. has been found on the chinchillas in natural habitat.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES

ALEANDRI, F. Cría y comercialização de la Chinchila - Compendio actualizado. Buenos Aires: Impresso en la Republica Argentina, 1998. 422p.
CONAF: Corporación Nacional Forestal. Gobierno de Chile. Reservas Nacionales. http://www.conaf.cl/. Acessado em 10 de janeiro de 2008.
GURGEL, A.C.F.; SARTORI, A.S.; ARAUJO, F.A.P. Protozoan parasites in captive chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) raised in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Chile: Parasitologia Latinoamericana. v. 60, n. 3-4, 2005.
LINDEN, A.R. Criação comercial de chinchilas. 1 ed. Guaiba: Livraria e Editora Agropecuária, 1999. 200p.
NEVES, D.M. Criação caseira da chinchila e seu melhoramento genético. 2ed. São Paulo: Nobel, 1989. 144p.
REY, L. Bases da Parasitologia Médica. 2ed. Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara Koogan, 2002. 379p.

Graphic 1: Presence of Giardia sp. in adult and young chinchillas in the commercial breeding.

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Meeting of the CIC, October of the 2006.

Beginning to 06:15 pm in The Mexico City.

Call of the Members:

Carlos Perez, represented Brazil.
Hector Aleandri, represented Argentina.
Patricia Perrin, represented Mexico.
Ralph Shoots, represented Bigest Ranchers.
Brent Poley, by Canchilla and NCBC.
Guillermo Holzer, represented Chile and Institute.

The called of The members was aproved as it presented by Brent Poley, second by Patricia Perrin. The agenda was aproved as it presented by Patrícia Perrin, second Hector Aleandri.

Minute of The meeting of March was aproved as it was send by Brent Poley of mail, second Hector Aleandri. Reported of the Treasurer was presented by Brent Poley that gave details of the initial balance U$$ 20.580.26, of which Canchilla obtained from the breeders U$$ 4.234.20, made payments to Rogerio Oliveira U$ 2500, to FICA in the United States U$ 1.000, to FUR trade, Industry Council of Canada U$ 1.000, to FUR Comission USA U$ 500, banking taxs U$----------, that gives a total of U$ 19.809.11.

Was aproved by Carlos Perez, second by Patricia Perrin.

As a part of Agenda, Reported of The Market was given by Brent Poley. Refered about two important points: The Market is good for both by four or five next years, the prices stay strong, but it is necessary to be alert, since as all cicle tends to lower. The most important The fall/Winter 06/07, the skin of Chinchilla is good represented in diferents fashion pages with a strong place in the industry.

In the part of mail, we received by USA reported of fall/Winter 06/07 which showed the last tendencies and comments about the Chinchilla skin, by Fur Allience.

The last news of the group called animals defended, was that their member called Coronado go away the group, to dedicate his time for the family and doesnt stay in the prison.

Developing project, Hector Aleandri gave reported about the page www.chinchillaindustrycouncil.com, which was worked well, but it need a new material that will be taken of this meeting. Continued the reported of The Artificial Insemination, Rogerio Oliveira sent material by Carlos Perez, This is in the Stage of Frozing of semen of Chinchilla, which is a fundamental step for the continuation of the work. With the received money he has brought material essential for the project.In the same time he works with study of Giardia, problem that worries to Brazil which brings tens of deaths by years. At the moment,they are controlling periodically of this diseases. The Objective is the total control, with the study of the feces of chinchilla wild in Chile to determinate if it is a carry usually, exists in the wild animal or the contamination occurs in the animal in captivity.

With respect to Empress, it was spoken in the next meeting. Donations: was given the second payment to Rogerio U$$ 2500, Donation to Empress U$$ 1500, IER Marques Mexico U$$ 1500, Withe Life the U.S.A.U$$ 500 and the last to Sullivan Fur Dressing U$$ 1000.

Election of New board, after 7 mandates years Guillermo Holzer decided to pass his mandate. Brent Poley was mention to Carlos Perez of Brazil like the new President and to Hector Aleandri like Vice President, and continuity in his position of Secretary of Treasury. Guillermo Holzer beginning the voting in favor of this names , with aprovation of the presents. Continued with appointment of a member, Guillermo Holzer proposed to Rogerio Oliveira like a new member of the CIC, represented the Tanners of Brazil, second Hector Aleandri. For the next meeting Patricia Perrin,second Ralph Shoots, proposed that it will be in St Louis, USA, for March of the 2007. The exact date to be given later. Before finish the Meeting Guillermo expressed his gratefulness to the presents and said some words of support to new President and Vice President. Brent Poley gave to him a gold and silver key with a chinchillas picture. The meeting was finished between welcome and goodbye at 19:01 hs.

Carlos Luis Perez

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I like to recall everybody to remember that every time you sell your pelts, to ask the buyer to send the 10 cents to the promotion fund of the CIC. That money allows the CIC to canalize funds at the right people to help the industry. Nothing can be done alone; we have to work side by side in a common effort to promote our product.

Through this note I would like to thank the Argentinean Association of Chinchilla Breeders, the Brazilian Association ACHILA, Instituto de la Chinchilla from Chile and Mexican Association and other Latin-American associations that allowed us to use their premises for the CIC meeting. In front of more than 400 ranchers from different countries helped us to show what we do and what is the importance of been part of the organization. Thanks again to everyone that was involved in organizing that big event.

The next meeting was proposed along with the Empress National Show in March 2006, at Saint Louis.

Guillermo Holzer
Chairman

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At this opportunity the CIC's board meeting was held right after the live animal show in one of the rooms of the Double Tree Hotel, place that have come to be the traditional home for the Empress National Show at Denver every three years. Through this note I would like to thank Jim Burnett, president of the Colorado's branch for the help to the CIC and also to extend our gratitude to all members who contribute with their work to have an impeccable show.

CIC member's attendance had been important and their ideas help to improve our participation and presence in the fur world. To this meeting we counted with the presence of Patricia Perrin for Mexico; Dr. Jim Butler for MCBA; Brent Poley for Canchilla, Canada; Fernando Aleandri seating for Hector Aleandri, Argentina; Gary Neubauer for ECBC; Pete Kiseskey Vice-Chairman for Sullivan Fur Dressing; Anna Harris Sec/Tres, and Guillermo Holzer Chairman representing Chile

At that time it was the opportunity to switch the Sec/Tres. position from Anna Harris. Anna resigned last years because of personal problems and she couldn't continue doing her job. Thank you Anna for a well done job through the time, from now on Wendel Bird was appointed as Secretary and Brent Poley will hold the Treasures position.

Mr. Poley offered a very short and concise report of the chinchilla pelt market. The world pelt production is diminishing and moving to this hemisphere. On this side of the world the production is increasing and in contrast with the East Europeans countries where production is diminishing. This situation had brought a slow and steady increase of pelt prices, which allows and provides the stability we are looking for. Because of his words the good news can be spelled in only eight letters "optimism"

That report allows us, as ranchers, to make plans for the future and to leave behind the threats of continued low prices as in the last couple year's uncertainty's market. Maybe this is the time to start again our entire ranch's productive potentials, especially after the years we have restrained our selves and been waiting and preparing to produce the best

Also it was discussed the importance to remained ranchers that they can send their contributions directly to the advertising fund. Remember that every live animal sold is one pelt less in the market and is less money to the fund. It was approved to ask ranchers to contribute voluntary with 25 cents for each live animal sold. That voluntary contribution replaces the former one. That money can be send direct to our treasurer Mr. Poley or via your representative to the CIC in your country. CIC is looking forward to find a better way to identify permanently those who contribute with the advertising fund.

Some donations were approved during the period to those organizations that help to our cause and defend the fur industry. FICA, US Sport's Alliance, Americans for Medical Progress, etc. More information about those organization's activities can be found in the internet

I would like to remain you that the museum of the chinchilla is functioning, thanks to Gary Neubauer who built a special place in his propriety for the museum; that unique place dedicated exclusively to the chinchilla had been already visited by many local people and foreigners. Any material related to the history of chinchilla that can be donated to the museum will be deeply appreciated

For unanimous decision the board members were reelected for another period, Wendel Bird as Secretary, Brent Poley as Treasurer, Pete Kiseskey vice Chairman and Guillermo Holzer as Chairman.
We will continue working through the year and ask everyone to send their ideas that will help to improve chinchilla's position into the fur world.

Guillermo Holzer

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It is very important to begin this note with a big thanks to the people from region I, at Ohio, they made a big effort to organize and run a good show, special occasion to remember the 50th anniversary of the first Empress Show, very good surroundings for the CIC meeting.
Too bad the only free time for our meeting was late Saturday, everyone was so tire, making very hard to keep us awake.
The attendance was acceptable, Pete Kiseskey Vice-president seating for dressers, big ranchers Ralph Shoots, Gary Neubauer or Empress, Randy Jagielo seating for NCBA, pelt buyers, Brent Poley, for the Mexican Association Patricia Perrin, Carlos Perez for the Brazilian Associations, Fernando Aleandri representing the Argentinean associations, seating for Nat Berkowitz and furriers Sue Kiseskey, Secretary/Treasurer Ann Harris and representing the Chilean Association Guillermo Holzer as Chairman.
After approving agenda, last meeting minutes and treasurer's report, Mr. Poley pointed out that his market report was already presented during the time of the banquet. His presentation shown what was going on in the world markets, how was affecting us and his positive view of the future of our industry.
Afterwards we analyzed requests for donations to organizations that usually the CIC is contributing. For the Fur Industry Council of America (FICA) a donation of $ 1000 was approved, and for the Americans for Medical Progress a contribution of $100 was approved
Mr. Poley made a small story of what happened with the eight garments manufactured by Mr. Zuki presented at fairs last season, some were sold to Nieman Marcus and others, he is not quite sure went to Nordstrom, both very important retail stores in the USA. Also he pointed out that apparently because that exposure at the Montreal and Milan fairs, today there has been an improve demand of our product, making unnecessary to manufacture more garments to show at other stores as it was planned last meeting. The increasing demand o chinchilla pelts have allowed get rid of the overstock in hand of brokers. It is important to say that this increase in demand is doing to the diminishing of ranchers in other countries especially former eastern European countries.
Mr. Neubauer informed about the development of the "chinchilla museum' at the Bowen's ranch in Anza, and again remained us to contribute with any thing related to the history of chinchilla to complete that important collection. It was discuss if he needed any economical contribution from the CIC, but it is not necessary at this time.
Number 10th future projects, there was lot of discussions and a hard speech from Mr. Poley trying to encourage ranchers to promote live animals' sales and the business.
The new board of directors was elected unanimously, as follows:
Chairman Guillermo Holzer
Vice-President Pete Kiseskey
Secretary/Treasurer Anna Harris

The session was adjourned late that night until first weekend of November 2003 at Omaha along with the Empress national meeting.

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