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Winter - Classical MileEnd Alpacas

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Europe as its market place. Doing nothing and<br />

adopting the UK mentality of 'rowing our own<br />

boat' could prevent such trade. Just look at the<br />

regulations last year regarding showing our<br />

animals in the French shows. Be warned!<br />

The issue for us all to consider is that we<br />

now have a certainty in that Blue Tongue<br />

is here to stay. The serotypes may change,<br />

but we know that alpacas are susceptible<br />

to the disease, though we do not yet have<br />

firm evidence to say that they die from it.<br />

Whether they should be vaccinated against<br />

this disease is not something we are qualified<br />

to comment on, but surely we must research<br />

any vaccine before we go into a programme for<br />

the European stock. We are sure that Claire<br />

Whitehead has this in hand, as she sits on<br />

the relevant DEFRA committee, on behalf of<br />

camelid owners. We suggest that funds should<br />

be made available from the Camelid Trust<br />

urgently to research this issue, in conjunction<br />

with DEFRA and a university. There are<br />

owners who would be prepared to donate<br />

some animals for this research.<br />

There is another issue that we should be<br />

taking more seriously. We have seen the<br />

consequence of poor bio-security with FMD<br />

spreading from a research establishment.<br />

That's not our fault, we hear you say. But<br />

many of us have little idea about bio-security<br />

at our own farms and if we are to be serious<br />

about our investment in these animals, then<br />

we need to lead the way and ensure we have<br />

proper controls and systems in place to<br />

combat and prevent disease in the future. We<br />

would suggest that the BAS works with the<br />

British Veterinary Camelid Society (BVCS)<br />

and creates a bio-security regime for all alpaca<br />

owners. Maybe we could also centralise our<br />

findings on animal diseases and deaths, so<br />

that we can build up a better picture to help<br />

protect them in the future.<br />

This is all rather depressing, we know, but<br />

the trouble is that we are all living with these<br />

issues now. It will be quite likely that Blue<br />

Tongue could affect the show programme<br />

and our marketing activities next year. We<br />

hope we are not being too gloomy in saying<br />

that this may well be the beginning of the<br />

end for the industry as we know it, unless we<br />

can collectively act together. But a simple<br />

request to the Camelid Trust bought me down<br />

to earth, when Nick Weber said that this<br />

issue had to be agreed not by two societies,<br />

as in the past, but now three. That is not<br />

what we thought when we merged the two<br />

organisations. Then there is the rest of Europe<br />

to get to agree to a programme.<br />

Put in a nutshell; think of the consequences<br />

for drive-by matings etc if blood tests and<br />

quarantine periods are introduced. What<br />

happens then?<br />

We suggest that the Societies across Europe<br />

appoint a pan-European committee to meet<br />

and discuss these issues. Let us all work<br />

together on issues that affect us all.<br />

We would welcome comments on our thoughts. Please do let us know<br />

what you feel. Email nigel.cobb@andaluciaalpacas.com<br />

www.alpacasdeandalucia.com<br />

Facing page: Lucy and<br />

Yolanda taking a well<br />

earned rest from walnut<br />

harvesting on the farm<br />

whilst our boys, especially<br />

Ross, take advantage of<br />

the hay.<br />

Above left: The Dragonfly<br />

Wills stand at the Over<br />

50's in Estepona where we<br />

were primarily promoting<br />

our wills business, but as<br />

a result of the alpaca signs<br />

got four new potential<br />

owners.<br />

Above right: Hannah<br />

gives halter training a go.<br />

Left: Ginny Cobb<br />

discussing the merits of<br />

alpacas with some children<br />

who came to stay near<br />

Ronda for a week and<br />

came to the farm for a<br />

visit - which they later<br />

described as the highlight<br />

of their week.<br />

Alpaca World Magazine <strong>Winter</strong> 2007 / 08<br />

51

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