We have been asked to post this message, please comment on how your regional group is keeping you informed.
Hi Bloggers,
When I give advice to clients about TB they inevitably ask me why they don't get regular information from BAS updating them on the TB situation. Why don't they? I thought that all of the regions had welfare representatives whose remit surely must include informing their members about any developments and the situation regarding animals lost to date. Why has BAS either not got or is not sharing this information?
Alpaca Vet
The RBCT - a gift that keeps on giving.
2 months ago
Posts
We're members of SWAG and haven't had any information via them but luckily we are also members of CALG and have been receiving regular updates from Dianne Summers since last year. This was long before BAS decided to inform anybody of the risks.
ReplyDeleteDear Vet, It's clear why BAS is not sharing information. They are hoping that the European breeders will not discover how bad bTB is in the UK alpaca herds. Especially the larger breeders herds. Self protection.
ReplyDeleteEuropean breeders just need to avoid the UK breeders who are showing their animals and offering on-farm matings. We were warned by a vet last year not to show until there is a realiable ante-mortem test but some breeders are so arrogant or greedy that they think they know better.
ReplyDeleteIs this the same alpacavet who is also showing and buying from large breeder in SW!
ReplyDeleteIt isn't just Europe who are being kept in the dark - the U.K. members are not being kept informed. We got a BAS email yesterday on fly strike. Why didn't we get a BAS email on number of alpacas that have died and are dying of TB.
ReplyDeleteI have lost 21 of my herd to TB in the past 6 months.
I am in the Tb Support Group.
I give my monthly information on deaths/skin test results etc to Diane Summers every month.
Di then compiles this data and sends it to not only to us in the support group but also to BAS. NEVER ONCE HAS BAS PASSED THIS INFORMATION ONTO THE BAS MEMBERS. WHY
The last update showed 94 alpaca deaths since the 1st Jan - 30th April and only 9 were skin test positives.
Why didn't BAS send that out as a BAS branded email.
In reply to the post asking if I am the same vet who showed and sold to the S.W. the answer is no. I am an alpaca vet who doesn't own alpacas but wants to find out as much as I can about the Tb situation as do my clients.
ReplyDeleteAlpaca Vet
Is it not that the BAS are still burying their heads in the hope that bTb will simply go away? Well since restrictions are not enforced or enforceable there seems little point in serving a restriction notice; does the BAS not realise that if bTb is not controlled more effectively there will be no need for the BAS because we will no longer have an alpaca industry. I find the whole attitude to Tb disgusting - thanks to Di we are at least able to receive immediate and accurate advice - about time Di was salaried for the work she does for the interest of us all.
ReplyDeleteI find it truly unbelievable that large breeders are refusing testing, defying restrictions and even continue to advertise animals even though they are under testing. No wonder Tb is rife. Please act responsibly befoe we all have to sacrifice our animals under a national cull. We do not show, travel, offer agistment nor stud services at this time and do not accept visitors onto our property all for the good of our herd, regardless of the financialloss in income - least our herd are happy and healthy. All alpacas should be subject to a reliable method of testing prior to sale, stud services, movement etc.Moreover if the compensation for compulsory slaughter was more realistic then perhpas we would not be in the current situation.
ReplyDeleteWe receive our updates via CALG and have heard nothing from welfare, but to be fair I only have known who our welfare rep is since last month and to the best of my knowledge she does not have my email addy, nor I hers!
ReplyDeleteA bit of a comms breakdown, but am up to speed thanks to CALG.
Read the BAS website, welfare section both public and members area for bTB info.
ReplyDeleteRead the BAS Magazine - it's had plenty of bTB items for the last three issues.
The breed society has done all it can to inform not only it's members but also none members about bTB in alpacas - or didn't any of the contributors here attend the roadshows?. Instead of blaming the BAS why not volunteer to get involved and help?
Please don't let the readers of this blog have the mistaken idea that the major risk is from shows. Of course precautions need to be taken but the biggest risk is from wildlife on their own farms orthe farms where there alpacas might stay for any reason. Unless you know different there are no cases caught at a show.
ReplyDelete