TBA Code of Ethics

Texas Bison Association CODE OF ETHICS 

1. Members shall: 

   1. Continually strive toward the preservation, promotion and marketing of bison and the bison industry. 
   2. Advance the bison industry through improving our knowledge and skill, encouraging research and exchanging information and experiences. 
   3. Keep ourselves informed on matters affecting the bison industry in our community, the state, the nation and internationally so that we may be able to contribute responsibly to public thinking on such matters. 
   4. Pursue our professional activities with honesty and fairness while avoiding and condemning any practice that might bring discredit to our industry and association. 
   5. Conduct business in a professional manner with accurate, current, and factual information so as to educate and inform. 
   6. Abide by all laws of any jurisdiction within which they carry on activities as bison producers. This includes no use of growth hormones in bison. 
   7. Not use antibiotics in bison on a subtherapeutic (non-therapeutic) basis. 
   8. Never engage in deliberate cross-breeding of bison with another species. 
   9. Not knowingly make false statements or fail to disclose a material fact requested in connection with marketing, advertising, and packaging. This includes accurate labeling and no adulteration of product. 
   10. Observe the Bylaws of the Association and give freely of ourselves for the advancement of its objectives. 
   11. Provide best husbandry practices to ensure the wellbeing of animals in care. 
   12. Not use animal cloning technology in any manner for the production of bison or bison meat products. 
   13. Not deliver any animal into the custody of a person who in the opinion of the member does not have the ability to provide for the animals' needs. 
   14. Give an honest description as to the age, health records and genetic background to the best of their knowledge of any animals they offer for sale. 
   15. Take precautions as necessary to prevent the spread of parasites or disease and humanely dispatch untreatable animals as soon as possible. 

   Consequences

   1. Any violation of this code by a member may be reported in full detail in writing to the Board of Directors of the Association. If it is the opinion of the Board that a violation may have taken place, the Board will schedule a hearing to allow the member in alleged violation an opportunity to respond. If it is then the opinion of the Board that the member did violate this code, the board will decide to: (a) send the violating member a letter of reprimand, or (b) suspend the violating member for a period of time, or (c) expel the violating member from the Association. The decision will be adopted only after a majority vote by the Board of Directors. The member in alleged violation will have the right to provide testimony either in person or in writing to the Board of Directors prior to their decision. 
   2. In the event that the member who is alleged to have violated the code is on the Board of Directors, that member shall abstain from all meetings, discussions and votes regarding his/her alleged violation. 
   3. In all cases of an alleged violation, all details of the violation, the hearing, and the decision of the Board will be made public to the membership of the Association with the name of the violating member withheld except in the case of a decision to suspend or expel the member from the Association.