A primary benefit of artificial insemination (AI) recognized by early adopters was the tremendous power of this technology to minimize the opportunity for disease transmission. However, it is equally important to recognize that in the absence of strict biosecurity protocols for the semen donor, AI can become an extremely powerful vector of disease transmission.
Select Sires, Inc. (“Select”) is a proud member of the National Association of Animal Breeders and its subsidiary Certified Semen Services (CSS). A primary goal CSS is to ensure that semen donors are heathy, disease-free, and that semen is processed in a hygienic manner that minimizes the opportunity for disease transmission. A foundation of this effort is the CSS sire isolation program. The handling of semen collected prior to completion of these stringent health testing requirements is strictly regulated by CSS due to the tremendous biosecurity risk. Violation of CCS regulations subjects the organization to loss of certification status and has significant economic implications for both domestic and international marketing efforts.
On occasion, the genetic value of a sire and the timing of an imminent breeding season interact to create a situation whereby the customer is willing to forego the security of the CSS isolation protocol and use semen “at his own risk” from a sire that has NOT completed CSS isolation. The following provisions allow Select to fulfill this need for the customer while maintaining security and integrity of the CSS biosecurity program for all sires, semen, and the organization in general.
- Select agrees this semen must be processed, stored, and identified (physically and virtually) in a manner that is separate and readily distinguishable from CSS approved semen.
- The CSS logo is NOT to be printed on the straws, but substituted with marking that clearly indicate the semen is not CSS approved and labeled “For customer use only”
- The customer must sign this waiver of liability acknowledging he/she is aware of the risks and accepts full responsibility for unfortunate outcomes resulting from use of this semen including but not limited to disease outbreaks, conception failure, and abortions among all females in the herd, including those not inseminated with this semen but potentially exposed to undesirable pathogens contained therein.
- In the absence of a signed waiver of liability, release and indemnification from the customer, Select is strictly prohibited from releasing of any semen collected during the CSS isolation period.
RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION OF SELECT AND ITS AFFILIATES
The undersigned understands and acknowledges the risks associated with use of non-CSS semen including but, not limited to, those identified paragraph 3 above (collectively, the “Risks of Use”) and accepts full responsibility for the Risks of Use associated with the non-CSS semen. The undersigned and releases Select and its affiliates from any and all liability associated with the direct or indirect use of the non-CSS semen. The undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold Select and its affiliates harmless from and against any claims, losses, liabilities, damages or expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising out of or relating to the undersigned’s distribution or sale of the non-CSS semen.