Winter - Classical MileEnd Alpacas
Winter - Classical MileEnd Alpacas
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