North American Blonde d’Aquitaine Association Inc.

Inaugural Bylaw 

1. NAME:

  The name of the Association shall be "NORTH AMERICAN BLONDE d'AQUITAINE ASSOCIATION INC." or may be known hereinafter as “NABAA”.

2. PURPOSE of NABAA:

NABAA is a non-profit corporation, incorporated in the state of Louisiana, USA to develop the Blonde d’Aquitaine breed of cattle to its full potential in the North American cattle industry.

3. OBJECTIVES:

  The Association shall have for its objects the encouragement, development and regulation of the breeding of high performance, high lean meat yielding Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle.  "Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle" or "Blonde d`Aquitaine breed", wherever used herein, refer to registered Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle. To facilitate the Achievement of such objects, the Association may:

1)      Keep a record of the breeding and origin of all Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle And collect, preserve and publish data and documents relating to same.

2)      Maintain standards of breeding and performance testing and origin of economic importance to beef  production and carry out a system of registration.

3)      Adopt means from time to time to protect and assist Blonde d’Aquitaine breeders in marketing registered and commercial Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle.

4)      Maintain efficient supervision of breeders of Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle to detect, prevent and punish fraud.

5)      Compile statistics of the industry and furnish official and authentic information thereto.

6)      In order to implement and achieve the foregoing, to make all necessary contracts and agreements and to make, alter and repeal regulations subject to the provisions of the By-Laws.

7)      The North American Blonde d'Aquitaine Association will encourage and endeavour to facilitate the importation of Blonde cattle, semen, or embryos, with excellent performance statistics and high meat yields into North America.

8)      The North American Blonde d’Aquitaine Association will not support, acknowledge or promote any livestock show unless at least 50% of the animal scoring comes from lean, meat yield verified by ultra-sound or some other accurate method approved by the NABAA Board of Directors.

9)      The North American Blonde d’Aquitaine Association may support, acknowledge, and promote display animals which exhibit a very high, lean meat yield, if approved by the NABAA Board of Directors.    

4. MEMBERS:

1)      There shall be the following classes of members:

a.   Active Annual members:  Active Annual Members shall be those individuals, partnerships and companies actively engaged in the breeding of registered Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle, which apply for Active Annual Membership and are accepted as such, and who pay the prescribed fee annually, and have registered, recorded, transferred, or purchased at least one registered Blonde d’Aquitaine animal with NABAA in the last calendar year. A past Active Annual member who pays their membership dues, but does not register, record, transfer, or purchase at least one Blonde d’Aquitaine animal in the last calendar year, shall be considered an Associate Annual member, until such time, that he/she completes the requirements of an Active Annual Member.      

b.      Active Junior Members: Active Junior Members shall be those individuals who have not yet attained the age of 18 years, who apply for Active Junior Membership and who are accepted as such, and who pay the prescribed fee. Junior Members shall have no vote and shall not be entitled to hold office in the association. Active Junior members shall the right to register and/or transfer animals at the same rate as an Active Annual member.

c.   Associate Annual Members: Associate Annual Members shall be those individuals, partnerships or companies who have an interest in Blonde d'Aquitaine Cattle, such as a commercial breeder, a bank or newspaper, who have applied for membership and paid the prescribed fee. Associate Members will have a voice at meetings but no vote, nor may they hold office, and shall not be entitled to record, register or transfer at member rates. Other services shall be as for regular members.

2)      Application for membership shall be in writing, and each applicant, on becoming a member, shall agree to be bound by the Constitution and amendments therein and all rules of the association, but the Board of Directors shall have power to reject any application for membership.  Application for an individual, partnership or incorporated company membership shall specify the person authorized to vote, act or sign for the individual, partnership or company. A member of a partnership or company, other than the person mentioned in the Application, may be authorized by the partnership or company to act or vote at any meeting of the Association.

3)      All members in good standing shall, as a matter of contract and except as hereinafter provided, enjoy the same rights and privileges and be subject to the same liabilities as the original incorporators of this Association. No member who is in arrears of membership or other fees shall enjoy such rights and privileges.

4)       A member in good standing is a member who has complied with the regulations as hereinafter set forth and who is not in arrears of membership or other fees or dues suspended.

5)       Financial liability of a member of the Association shall be limited to the amount due from him in respect to his/her membership, registration and transfer fees.

6)       No member shall be entitled to any of the rights and privileges of the Association during any year until his/her annual fee for that year is paid.

7)      No member shall be entitled to vote or give notice to amend this constitution, that is in arrears of membership dues or other fees.  No applicant shall be entitled to vote until his/her application for membership has been accepted.

8)       The membership year of the Association shall correspond with the calendar year.

9)       Suspension, Expulsion, Offences and Penalties

a.       Suspended Member: A suspended member is one who has been deprived of the Privileges of the Association automatically, or by decision of the Board of Directors, for a stated period of time or until such time as the requirements of the Board of Directors have been complied with.

b.      Suspended Registration: A suspended registration is a registration of Pedigree or transfer that has been placed under suspension by the Board of Directors of the Board of Directors, on account of some irregularity; such Suspension to remain until same has been lifted by resolution of the Board of Directors.

c.       Expulsion: Expulsion means depriving a person of the privileges of the Association indefinitely or for such period of time as may be determined by the Board of Directors of the Board of Directors.

d.      The Board of Directors shall have the power to suspend or expel any person who fails to observe any rule or regulation set forth in this Constitution or whose conduct is, in the opinion of the Board, prejudicial to the interest of the Association. The procedure for filing complaints with the Board is outlined under Discipline Committee 3(h). A person so suspended or expelled shall, after the expiration of sixty days, have the right to apply to the Board of Directors for reinstatement and shall, on application, be reinstated at the next meeting of the Board, provided a majority of the members of the Board present thereat votes in the affirmative. If the Board of Directors refuse to reinstate a person so suspended or expelled, such person shall have the right to apply for reinstatement by the next succeeding General Meeting, but reinstatement by a General Meeting shall be only by a vote of two-thirds of the members present thereat and voting.

e.       A person who automatically suspends himself under any rule or regulation of this Association shall, after the expiration of ten days, have the right to apply to the Board of Directors for reinstatement and shall, on application, be reinstated at the next meeting of the Committee, provided a majority of the members of the Committee present thereat vote in the affirmative. If the Board of Directors refuses to reinstate a person automatically suspended from membership, such person shall have the right to apply for reinstatement by the next succeeding General Meeting of the Board of Directors, but reinstatement shall be only by a vote of two-thirds of the Directors present thereat and voting. If reinstatement is refused, he shall have the right to apply for reinstatement to the next General Meeting of the Association.

f.        Any person so suspended or expelled shall have no claim against this association or any interest in the property or assets of this Association.

g.       Registration or transfer of ownership of an animal is made on the understanding that the particulars given on the application are correct. If it is subsequently discovered that the particulars given are incorrect or fraudulent, the registration or transfer shall be cancelled by this association. The certificates of animals registered incorrectly may be cancelled and reregistered by the owner at the expense of the original applicant for registration or transfer, but it is understood that this Association shall not be held responsible for any loss or damage that may be sustained through suspension, cancellation or correction of any registration or transfer.

h.       When, as the result of an inspection of the manner in which private records are being kept and identification practiced by any breeder, it is shown that the regulations in that regard, as laid down herein, are not being observed, The Board of Directors may immediately suspend or expel such member, and if such inspection should indicate that the private records and identification system is in such a state of confusion as to raise a doubt as to the identity of any number or all of the animals in the herd, the Board of Directors may suspend or cancel registration of any or all cattle registered in the name of such breeder.

  5. OFFICES:

  The location of the Head Office or offices of the Association shall be decided by the Board of Directors.

  6. FISCAL YEAR:

  The Fiscal Year of the Association shall correspond with the calendar year.

 7. DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES:

I.       DIRECTORS:

a.       The affairs of the Association shall be under the control and supervision of a Board of a minimum of five (5) Directors, up to a maximum of seven (7) Directors.  A director nominated and elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Association shall hold office for a maximum of two (2) years unless re-elected.  Two (2) Directors will be elected one year at the Annual General meeting of the Association, and three the following year in rotation.  Directors will be elected to fill the Board at the annual meeting.

b.      At any given time, the number of Directors, the manner or representation, and the manner of election of the directors, shall be determined by the association at an Annual Meeting.

c.       Three members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

d.      Questions arising at any meeting of Directors shall be decided by a majority of votes and, in the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman of such meeting, in addition to his/her original vote, shall have a second or casting vote.

e.       If a Director does not attend more than three consecutive Board meetings, he/she may be asked to resign.

f.        In the event of a vacancy occurring on the Board, the Board may appoint another active annual member to serve until the next Annual Meeting.

 

 

 

II.     OFFICERS:

A.      The Officers of this Association shall be a President, a Vice-President, and a Treasurer elected from the members of the Board of Directors. In addition, there may be a Secretary-Manager or secretary, as well as such other officer or officers as the Board of Directors may at any time and from time to time deem it advisable to elect or appoint.

B.       Election, Tenure, and Removal:

  All Officers of the Association, with the exception of the Secretary-Manager,    shall be elected by, and from the Board of Directors at its Annual General Meeting. Each officer elected shall hold office for a Period of one year, or until the next Annual General Meeting. At any meeting the Board may appoint additional officers to serve until the next Annual General Meeting until his successor has been elected, or sooner, if removed by the Board of Directors.

PRESIDENT:

The President, subject to the control of the Board of Directors shall:

a.       Sign, either alone or with the Secretary-Manager, the Treasurer or proper Officer, all certificates of membership, contracts, deeds, mortgages, leases and other documents and instruments upon which the President's signature is authorized or required by law.

b.      Call all meetings of the membership.

c.       Preside at all general meetings.

d.      Be Chairman of the Board of Directors and do all such matters and things in addition thereto as the Board of Directors may from time to time request.

e.       Present at each Annual Meeting a report of the activities of the association.

f.        Call meetings of the Board of Directors when required.

g.       Perform all duties and functions normally incident to his/her office save as such duties and functions may be restricted by the Board of Directors, as well as all duties and functions properly conferred upon or requested of him by the Board of Directors.

VICE PRESIDENT:

The Vice-President shall assist the President in the exercise of his/her duties and shall assume the duties of the President in the event of his/her absence or resignation from office. He/she shall be a member of the Board of Directors and may be designated by the President to act in his/her behalf in fulfilling any of his/her duties.

SECRETARY MANAGER:

The Secretary-Manager or secretary may be appointed by the Board of Directors to be the managing, administrative and clerical officer of the Association, and shall act as the authorized representative of the Board in hiring, discharging, directing the duties, salaries and other compensation of the employees of the Association. The Secretary-Manager or secretary, subject to the control of the Board of Directors shall:

a.       responsible for the establishment and maintenance of all herd books, and Records of the Association:

b.      Be the legal custodian of all the books, papers, deeds and instruments and records of the Association.

c.       Be the legal custodian of the articles of incorporation of the association.

d.       Appoint or hire such assistants and employees as may be deemed necessary by the Board of Directors for the effective conduct of the business of the association.

e.       Attend and keep the minutes of all the meetings of the membership and Board of Directors in one or more minute books provided for that purpose.

f.        Send notices of all members' and Directors' meetings when and as required by these By-Laws and in conformity herewith.

g.       Sign with the President all contracts, deeds, mortgages, leases and all other documents upon which the Secretary-Manager's or secretary’s signature is authorized or required.

h.       Perform all other such duties and functions properly conferred upon or required of him/her, by the Board of Directors.

i.         Keep at the Head Office a book containing a copy of the By-Laws of the Association with all the amendments thereof, which shall at all reasonable times are open to the inspection of members who may make copies thereof.

 TREASURER:

  The Treasurer, subject to the control of the Board of Directors shall:

a)  Have custody of and be responsible for all funds, money and securities of the Association and keep proper books of account containing entries of all such matters or things as are usually entered in the books of account.

  b) Supervise receipt of monies due and payable to the Association.

  c) Select the corporate depositories subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

  d) Sign or countersign any and all documents and instruments upon which the Treasurer's signature is authorized or required.

  e) Perform all duties and functions properly conferred upon or required of him/her by the Board of Directors .In the event the Board of Directors should appoint one individual to act as both Secretary-Manager and/or secretary and Treasurer, this person shall perform the functions as listed of both the Secretary-Manager and/or secretary and Treasurer. 

 

  FINANCIAL REVIEW:

  The Board of Directors shall determine the appropriate financial reviewing method to satisfy the legal requirements of the association. A financial statement of the books of account of the Association, vouchers for all payments, and certifying the usual statements of receipts and expenditures, and assets and liabilities for the year, must be presented to the members at the next Annual General Meeting.

  REPRESENTATIVES:

Representatives of the organization shall be elected at the Annual General meeting but, if for any reason any of these are not so appointed, the Board of Directors shall have the power to appoint the same.

Representatives may be appointed by the Board of Directors from various areas of North America to represent those areas to the Board of Directors.

  III. COMMITTEES:

  The Board of Directors may appoint from their number and/or from other members Of the Association, Committees whether special or standing, and may name one of the Committee members to serve as Chairman of such Committee.  In addition to any special Committees to be appointed by the Board of Directors, there shall be in any event, the following standing Committees:

1)       FINANCIAL COMMITTEE:  This Committee shall be responsible for overseeing the financial matters of the Association and for preparing the annual budget for the association. The Treasurer (or Secretary-Manager and/or secretary acting as Treasurer) shall serve as an ex officio member of this Committee.

2)      IMPORT-EXPORT COMMITTEE: This Committee shall deal with all matters of policy regarding the importation/exportation of Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle, semen, embryos, and/or beef from/to Europe and other countries.

3)      SHOW AND DISPLAY COMMITTEE: This Committee shall be responsible for arrangements regarding the showing or exhibiting of Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle, either registered or commercial, in accordance of the objectives of the North American Blonde d’Aquitaine Association, and establishing and awarding of prizes for show or carcass winners.

4)      TECHNICAL ADVISORY (PERFORMANCE STANDARDS) COMMITTEE: This Committee shall: Be responsible for investigating the performance standards of the Blonde d'Aquitaine breed, for suggesting changes in performance measurements or minimums, and for conducting whatever activity is deemed advisable to maintain breed improvement and educate the members of the Association therein. This committee shall investigate any existing or new methods of testing, reporting, or implementation. This committee may also recommend conformation standards that would benefit the breed.

5)      NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE: This Committee shall be appointed at least ninety (90) days in advance of the Annual Meeting, and shall thereafter within forty-five (45) days of the Annual Meeting, file with the Secretary-Manager in the office of the Blonde d'Aquitaine Association, its selection of names nominated to the position of Director of the Association to be voted on at the annual Meeting. Such list shall be included with the notice sent to the membership calling the Annual Meeting. Additional nominations, where the nominee has consented to stand, shall be received from the floor at the Annual Meeting and voting shall be by ballot for the exact number of vacant board positions to be filled.

6)      RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE: This Committee shall be appointed at least ninety (90) days in advance of the Annual Meeting, and shall thereafter, within forty-five (45) days of the Annual Meeting, file with the Secretary-Manager or secretary in the office of the Association, the proposed amendments to the Constitution of the Association to be voted on at the Annual Meeting by the general membership. Such amendments shall be included in the notice sent to the membership calling the Annual Meeting.

7)      SALES COMMITTEE: This Committee shall suggest policy and standards pertaining to the selling at auction or private treaty of Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle whether the sale is managed by the Association or a private concern, or by an individual.

8)      DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE: The Discipline Committee shall consist of five (5) members of which three may constitute a quorum. The Discipline Committee shall meet wherever the Committee considers appropriate, to hear and determine charges against persons brought before the Committee as hereinafter provided.

a.   Upon a complaint to the Secretary-Manager or secretary or the Board of Directors by any member of the Association, the Secretary-Manager or secretary may, and upon the instruction of any Director, shall investigate any allegation that a member of the Association has violated the Constitution, By-Laws, rules or regulations of the Association or has so conducted himself that his/her continued membership may be detrimental to the reputation of the Association or the achievement of its purpose.

b.      Upon the completion of such investigation, the Secretary-Manager or secretary may, and upon the instruction of a Director of the Association, shall request that the Discipline Committee may meet, and after hearing shall determine the matter and shall dismiss the complaint, censure the member, suspend the member, or expel the member from the Association and the decision of the Discipline Committee shall be recorded in writing with the reasons thereof.

c.    The Secretary-Manager or secretary shall, by notice in writing, mail to the member whose conduct forms the subject matter of the complaint, by registered mail addressed to the member at his/her last known address, fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled date of the meeting of the Discipline Committee, a notice in writing setting out the nature of the complaint, the date, time and place of the Discipline Committee meeting, with or without counsel or witnesses, they appear in person or by counsel at the Discipline Committee meeting. The Discipline Committee may proceed to determine the matter in his/her absence.

d.      The person making the complaint may appear at the meeting of the Discipline Committee with or without counsel or witnesses, and the Secretary-Manager or secretary shall forward a copy of the notice required by subsection (3) hereof to that member at the same time and in the same manner as the notice to the person whose conduct forms the subject matter of the complaint.

e.   The Secretary-Manager or secretary may retain and instruct counsel with respect to the hearing of any complaint by the Discipline Committee and may appear with or without counsel or witnesses at all meetings of the Discipline Committee.

f.    Where the Discipline Committee censures, suspends, or expels any member, such member may appeal to the Board of Directors of the Association by filing with the Secretary-Manager or secretary a Notice of Appeal within fifteen (15) days of the date of the mailing of the notice of the decision of the Discipline Committee, whereupon the Board of Directors shall hold a hearing and the provisions of this article with respect to notice and hearing before the Discipline Committee apply mutatis mutandis.

g. The Board of Directors shall, after the hearing of the appeal, dismiss the appeal and confirm the disposition of the complaint made by the Discipline Committee or may make any other disposition of the matter that was open to the Discipline Committee to make, and shall record its decision in writing with the reasons thereof.

h.  The Board of Directors may direct the publication of the final disposition of any complaint with or without names.

i.      Written notice of any disposition of a complaint by the Discipline Committee or the Board of Directors shall be mailed to the member whose conduct forms the subject matter of the complaint by registered mail addressed to the member at the address to which the notice of hearing was mailed.

j.     Where, as a result of the final disposition of a complaint, a member has been suspended or expelled, the records of the Association shall be amended accordingly and that member's privileges as a member of the Association shall forthwith by suspended or terminated, as the case may be.

k.      It is the obligation of every member of the Association, whenever requested by the Secretary-Manager or secretary, to attend the hearing held by the Discipline Committee and/or the Board of Directors, and to give whatever information and produce whatever documents may be required for the proper determination of matters pending before those Committees.

l.      The Board of Directors may, unless the complaint is dismissed, in addition to the power hereinbefore recited, require that any member whose conduct forms the subject matter of a hearing, pay to the Association its reasonable costs incurred in and about the investigation and hearing of a complaint, including the traveling expenses of the investigators, counsel and witnesses and professional fees and any other necessary disbursements.

m.     Instead of mailing the notice hereinbefore mentioned, such notices may be served personally and in the event the date of service shall be deemed to by the date of mailing.

 

 

8. VOTING:

 Each Active Annual Member in good standing shall receive one (1) vote. In addition, each Active Annual Member in good standing shall receive one additional vote for every five (5) live, NABAA registered animals, registered by the Active Annual member during the calendar year represented by the annual meeting, to a maximum of 20 additional votes, so as to equal a possible maximum of 21 votes which will not exceed 49% of the total eligible votes by any one Active Annual Member in good standing.

9. MEETINGS:

  The Board of Directors may call an Annual General Meeting of the Association to be held at such time and place as decided by the Board of Directors, if they feel such a meeting is necessary and will benefit the Association. Other General Meetings shall be held at the time and place fixed by the Board of Directors. A notice of at least thirty (30) days shall be given by circular letter, e-mail, or fax or to each of the members at his/her last known post office address appearing on the books of the Association, OR, in the event of the Association issuing an official publication, a notice published therein shall be deemed sufficient.

1)      Notice of any meetings of the Board of Directors, other than the one immediately following the Annual General Meeting, shall be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed to each director, at least fourteen (14) days before the date of the meeting, to his/her last known contact address appearing on the books of the Association, or by other means at least five (5) days before the date of meeting.

2)      A meeting of the Board of Directors may be held on shorter notice or without written notice, providing the majority of the directors have given their consent to the meeting being held. A meeting of such consent shall be entered in the minutes.

3)      For the transaction of the business of the Association at an Annual or other General Meeting, a quorum shall be five (5) active annual members.

4)      A special meeting of the Association may be called by the President as and when considered necessary by the Board, but he/she shall call a Special Meeting when requested to do so in writing by at least five (5) active annual members of the Association.  These meetings required 14 days prior notice by mail and a bond of two thousand dollars ($2000.00) shall be paid to the Association which then will be returned when two-thirds of the members calling for the special meeting attend the meeting that was called for.  Quorum for a special meeting shall be seven (7) active annual members.

5)      Annual meetings, general meetings, board meetings and/or business of the association may be held by teleconferencing, e-mail, and/or faxes as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.  

6)      A copy of the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors shall be forwarded within thirty (30) days following such meetings, to each Director.

10. ORDER OF BUSINESS:

  The order of business at all annual and general meetings shall be as follows:

1)      Identification of Members

2)      Reading Minutes of previous meeting

3)      Report of Officers, Directors and Committees

4)      Correspondence

5)      Unfinished business

6)      If Annual Meeting, report of election of Directors

7)      New business

8)      Adjournment

  NOTE: The above order, with the exception of (1) Identification of Members, may be changed at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

11. FINANCIAL REVIEW AND ANNUAL REPORT:

  The Board of Directors, at each annual General Meeting, shall submit a complete report of its acts and of the affairs of the Association to the membership present; it shall present a detailed statement of the receipts and expenditures of the preceding year and of the assets and liabilities of the Association. In the event that no formal Annual Meeting is held, this statement shall be sent to the membership.

12. EXPENSES, INCOME AND PROPERTY:

  The income and property of the Association from whatever source derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion and furtherance of the objects of the Association, and no part thereof shall be paid or transferred directly by way of bonus or otherwise as profits or gains to members of the Association, past, present or future, or to any person claiming through any member, provided, however, that nothing therein contained shall prevent the bona fide payment or remuneration to any secretary, treasurer, officer, clerk or employee, or other person or persons for services actually rendered the Association, whether such are members of the Association or not, and the expenses of the Directors or  other Officers incurred in doing business of the Association.

13. BOOKS OF RECORDS:

1)      A Register, to be known as the North American Blonde d'Aquitaine Herd Book, shall be maintained and compiled annually by the Association, in such form and may, from time to time be approved by the Board of Directors.

2)      Private breeding records: There shall be kept by each breeder a private record which shall contain full particulars of his/her breeding operations. This record shall, at all times, be open to the inspection of officials of this association.

14. AMENDMENTS:

  The Constitution may be amended at any General Meeting of the Association by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present with the exception of the following:

 No permanent Registration certificate shall be issued, unless the eligible animal has EPD’S listed on the certificate from a performance program recognized by the NABAA Board of Directors or a recognized improvement to same. Elimination of this by-law and/or requirement shall require the dissolution of this association.

 Notice of all proposed amendments shall be in writing and signed by two members in good standing and given to the Secretary forty-five (45) days in advance of a General Meeting and they shall be included in the notice calling such meeting; otherwise, the meeting shall have no power to deal with the same.

15. CORPORATE SEAL:

  The Seal, as stamped in the margin hereof, shall be the corporate seal of the association.

16. REGISTRATION OF PEDIGREES:

1)      There shall be furnished for all living animals eligible, a Certificate of Registration. The certificate shall be in such a form as decided by the NABAA Board of Directors.

2)      No permanent Registration certificate shall be issued, unless the eligible animal has EPD’S or a recognized improvement thereof, listed on the certificate from a performance program recognized by the NABAA, from personal weaning and yearling weights, with the exception of animals born prior to 2008.

3)      NABAA may issue a provisional Registration certificate until such time the full performance requirements of the animal is satisfied. If the performance requirements of the animal named in the provisional Registration certificate is not provided by the age of fifteen (15) months, the provisional Registration certificate shall be null and void and the registration fee forfeited.

4)      The breeder of a male or female animal participating in a multi breeder performance test, recognized by the NABAA Board of Directors, may prior to said animal reaching fifteen (15) months of age, may request the refund of fees paid for registration. Upon receiving the provisional or permanent Registration certificate, NABAA shall return the registration fee less any handling fees deemed necessary by the NABAA Board of Directors.

5)      All NABAA registered animals shall have the prefix NAB before the registration number to signify registration in the North American Blonde d’Aquitaine Association.

6)      A person attempting to register an animal whose parent/parents are registered with another North American association, must supply proof of registration of the parent/parents to NABAA, before the offspring can be registered.

7)      Any person suspended or expelled from membership shall not be allowed the privilege of registering pedigrees in the records of the Association.

8)      Animals with a provisional registration may not be transferred or have offspring registered until such time the registration is up-graded to a permanent registration.

9)      The Board of Directors shall be empowered to makes rules, with regard to registering animals not covered by these regulations.

17. IDENTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION OF TATTOO LETTERS:                

1)      A breeder must apply to the Association for identification letters for his/her elective use.

2)      Animals must be identified with tattoo marking in the ear specified by the Association with the registered identification letters of the Owner of the animal at birth, and a serial number followed by the designated year letter to signify year of birth.

3)      Cattle registered in the NABAA Inc have a letter "N" above the registered herd letters in the right ear.

4)       The letter "S" will signify that the animal was born in 2006, "T" - 2007, "U" - 2008, etc. The letters "V", "I", "O", "Q" shall not be used as designating year letters.

5)      All calves must be identified by tattoo markings before they are six (6) months of age and before applying for registration. No two animals, regardless of sex, may be tattooed with the same identification.

6)      After the expiration of five (5) years, registered tattoo letters may be forfeited if they have not been used in registering animals by the Registered Owner during that period. Such letters may be allotted to another breeder.

7)      The Board of Directors shall be empowered to make rules, with regard to re-tattooing animals where tattoo letters or numbers faded to a degree that they are difficult or almost impossible to read.

18. REGISTRATION OF PREFIXES AND NAMING ANIMALS:

1)      A member may register a prefix for his/her exclusive use in naming animals owned by him at birth. A prefix registered under this regulation shall not be used by any other person, partnership or corporate body in naming animals for registration.

2)      In registering a prefix, priority in use shall be considered. Any dispute between breeders as to priority right to a prefix shall be referred to the Board of Directors for decision.

3)      A prefix may be transferred on application to the Association by the Registered Owner.

4)      A registered prefix that has not been used in the naming of registered animals may be cancelled after a period of five (5) years.

5)      A registered prefix may be used by a son or daughter who is a junior member, providing written consent of the registered owner is on file with the Association. This shall not apply to prefixes registered in the ownership of partnerships or companies.

6)      Names of animals should not be duplicated. The right is reserved to change any name when necessary, preserving however, as far as possible, some characteristic of the name given on the application. Imported animals may be renamed and the Board reserves the right to request a name change.

7)      A name shall not contain more than thirty (30) letter spaces or characters including numeral affix. Letters or numerals may be changed upon application made prior to the compilation of permanent records. In the case of imported animals, all requests for name changes must occur with thirty (30) days after the on-farm quarantine.

8)      The Association reserves the right to refuse any name which may be misleading, or any name which may be misleading as to the origin or relationship of an animal.

9)      Names of members of the Royal Family or Leaders of National Governments of the day shall not be used.

10)  The Board of Directors may approve a change in the name of an animal providing there are no registered offspring. A new application for registration must be completed and signed by the Owner at birth, then presented to the Association with the Certificate of Registration and the necessary fee. If a registered prefix was used in the original name, it must also be used in any suggested change.

19. APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION:

1)      Application for North American registration of Blonde d'Aquitaine animals must be:

a)       In the case of natural service, made to the Association on forms supplied by it with all the blank spaces filled in with ink or typewritten and signed by the Owner at time of birth and by the Owner of the sire at the time the dam was serviced or by other methods approved by the Board of Directors.

b)       Accompanied in the case of artificially sired calves by a breeding receipt (standard c.c. Report of Service form) signed by the inseminator, or breeding declaration signed by the Owner of the dam at the time of service, except where such documents are not available the sire may be identified by parent verification that is approved by the Board or other methods approved by the board.

2)      Application for registration of animals from other countries must:

a)       be signed by the importer showing the date of importation;

b)       be accompanied by the Certificate of registration and DNA Parentage Verification;

c)       if a bred female, be accompanied by service information acceptable to the North American Blonde d'Aquitaine Association (i.e. that used in the country of origin for certification of service).

3)      Registration of a North American born animal must be in the name of the Owner of the dam or the lessee of the dam at the time the calf was born.

4)      Calves born of a multiple birth must have an application completed for each calf, the word "twin" or "triplet", etc., must be included as part of the name. In the application the sex of the other animal's) must be stated; the female born with a male will not be registered until she has proved to be a breeder.

20. TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP AND DUPLICATE CERTIFICATES:

1)      Application for transfer of ownership of a registered Blonde d'Aquitaine animal must be made by the Owner in ink or typewritten on the reverse side of the Certificate of Registration. Transfers at time of registration may be completed by the Owner in ink or typewritten on the Application of Registration or by other methods approved by the board.

2)      In the case of a female, if bred:

a.       Naturally. The Certificate of Service must be completed and signed by the Owner of the service sire.

b.      Artificially. The standard c.c. breeding slip, or a breeding declaration signed by the Owner of the dam at the time of service, must accompany the animal in order that the new Owner may register the resultant calf. Accompanied in the case of Artificially sired calves by a breeding receipt (i.e. standard c.c. Report of Service form) signed by the inseminator, or breeding declaration signed by the Owner of the dam at the time of service, except where such documents are not available the sire may be identified by parentage verification that is approved by the Board.

3)      In the case of the sale of an animal, the seller must supply the buyer with registration or provisional certificate and it shall be the responsibility of the seller to: 

      a.  confirm that  the tattoo identification is in accordance with the North American      Blonde d'Aquitaine regulations (section 17).

b. provide the buyer with a provisional certificate or registration certificate with complete   change of ownership on the Certificate.

c. where the buyer receives a provisional certificate, it becomes the buyers responsibility       to submit the required weights to up-grade the certificate to full registration.

4)      Where a registered animal dies, is sold for slaughter or is used in a commercial herd and not represented as registered, the transfer shall not be registered. A notation in ink stating that the animal died, was slaughtered or is now used in a commercial herd shall be made on the face of the Certificate, and the Certificate shall be forwarded to the North American Blonde 'Aquitaine Association.

5)      When an animal is leased for breeding purposes, an application for lease supplied by the Association must be completed and signed by the lessor and forwarded to the Association. The terms of the Agreement shall be fully disclosed on the application. The lessee will in all cases be considered the Owner of the progeny of the leased females.  If animals are leased in another country and the resulting progeny are born in that country, the NABAA application for registration of such progeny must be accompanied by the original Certificate of registration from that country of origin.

6)      Where a registration Certificate is lost, destroyed or unobtainable, a duplicate Certificate may be issued by the Association upon receipt of a statutory declaration from the last recorded Owner. A corrected Certificate of registration or transfer may be issued by the Secretary-Manager or secretary upon receipt of a notice of error, but if such correction has been made necessary by the error or omission by the applicant, the duplicate Certificate fee(s) shall be charged.

21. RULES FOR REGISTRATION:

  Animals eligible for registration:

1)      It is mandatory that animals born in 2008 (year letter U), or later, must have weaning and yearling EPD’s or their equivalent, or an up graded version thereof on the Registration certificate, before an animal can be registered. Animals born prior to 2008 may be registered without performance data.

a.       Those animals registered in the herd book of an Association in the country of origin and considered eligible by the Board of Directors of NABAA. The application for registration in the NABAA herd book must be accompanied by the original Certificate of registration or a copy thereof, of the dam and sire of the animal to be registered.

b.      Those whose parents are registered in the North American Blonde d'Aquitaine Association Herd Book.

c.       Animals produced by the transfer of embryos or fertilized ova from one cow to another shall be eligible for registration provided that the genetic parents are eligible and provided that the details of the embryo transfer are certified to the Secretary-Manager or secretary by the person performing the embryo transfer.

d.      Recipient cows must be identified by a tattoo or a numbered tag in each ear.

e.       The owner of the donor cow must provide a transfer of ownership Certificate if the resultant calf /calves are born the property of another person.

·        Code Letters: All animals registered in the North American Blonde        d'Aquitaine Association Herd Book will receive a code letter prefix as part of their registration number which designates their Herd Book Status beside the prefix NAB with the exception of (p) and (T) which will follow the registration number.    

·           The code letters are the following:

·                    F - 100% full blood animals whose parentage on both sides traces back to the French Herd Book

·                    DF- Fullbloods registered without DNA testing.

·                    P - Provisional registration.

·                    C - Percentage animals up to 7/8 female and 15/16 male.

·                    D - Domestic purebreds as outlined in section on upgrading and any register able   animal above this percentage as provided in that section.

·                    T - Embryo transplant animals.

·                    (p) - Naturally polled animals

Proper usage of Code Letters - using a given registration number:

·        F 1200 - 100% full bloods parentage to FHB

·        DF1200 – 100% full bloods without DNA testing.

·        P1200 – Provisional registration

·        C 1200 - percentage animals

·        D 1200 - domestic purebreds

·        D 1200 (p) - polled domestic purebred

·        F 1200 T - 100% full blood transplant

·        D 1200 T - domestic purebred transplant

3)   Upgrading:  In order to facilitate the development of the Blonde d'Aquitaine breed of cattle in North America through the widest possible genetic bases, the North American Blonde d'Aquitaine Association will encourage breeders to engage in an upgrading program using established breeds.

a.       Upgrading to domestic purebred status may be accomplished using a purebred or percentage (registered) animal as designated in Table 1 (see addendum).