National Livestock Identification System Alpaca and Llama ...

NLIS ALPACA AND LLAMA DATABASE OPTIONS REVIEW
IDENTIFICATION AND TRACEABILITY IN
ALPACAS AND LLAMAS
There are a number of drivers that will ultimately require the alpaca and llama
industries in Australia to develop a system of identification and traceability. These
include disease management, residue control, market eligibility, assurance programs
and animal management systems.
In the short term, it will be biosecurity concerns which will drive the implementation of
identification and traceability systems. While the value of the alpaca and llama
industries may not be great when compared to other livestock industries in Australia,
there are implications and threats posed to the major industries by relatively smaller
species groups. To this extent, all livestock industries will progressively be required
to implement systems to protect their own industries and also reduce the risk to other
industries. The impact of a disease outbreak in a non-food producing industry was
vividly demonstrated by the recent outbreak of Equine Influenza (EI) which caused
incredible disruption to the equine world and cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
As with all of these types of programs, the industry is rarely given a prescriptive
system design but is generally required to meet specific outcomes. In the case of
FMD susceptible species, the outcomes required are tabulated in the Performance
Standards for Identification and Traceability below. These Standards have been
endorsed by the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) and, as such, carry
the endorsement of the Commonwealth and all States and Territory Governments.
Alpacas and llamas, being ruminants, are considered likely to be susceptible to FMD
or at least possible spreaders of the disease. To this extent, the species are
included in the FMD AUSVETPLAN and would be dealt with as susceptible under
the plan.
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