BAS BOARD BLOG

Emma Taylor reports on The World Alpaca Expo and Conference, Graz and Alpaca Show Sud, Hohenlohe

After several years of Covid-19, Brexit and various other world events the board felt it was time that all of our members should again be represented in Europe. Four board members agreed to travel to Austria to represent the British Alpaca Society at the World Alpaca Conference. Our goals were to reconnect with many of the European Associations and owners, dispel myths about the health of the national herd and to kickstart exports once more.

On a chilly morning a pre-arranged rendezvous in Kent saw a swift re-packing of Neil’s van before, we headed to the Eurotunnel. Travelling abroad with commercial equipment required export documentation to be in hand and off we headed. At check-in we were escorted off site by security and headed back to Ashford – a 24 mile round trip to acquire internal customs export stamps for the equipment we were taking – the BAS stand and associated bags, magazines etc. Once stamped we embarked the train and some 35 minutes later, we were in France with a very, very long drive ahead of us (1,744 miles round trip from Calais). We managed to experience many of the possible weather conditions, including substantial amounts of snow, sun, rain, sleet and arrived in Graz after some 18 hours of driving, including a brief overnight stop. We received a very warm welcome from other delegates, trade stand holders and alpaca owners alike.

The Austrians certainly know how to put on fantastic show which was held in an easily accessible, well-appointed venue. Kate, Elaine with Roger arrived later on Friday once we had had the pleasure of trying to put the

BAS stand together! One of our neighbouring trade stand holders, took pity on us, (battling with a very strange contraption) and kindly stepped in to assist for which we were very appreciative and we established a friendly German/UK relationship from the start.

There was an estimated footfall in the region of over 5,000 people over the three days achieved by the show organisers and venue. The entry fee was set at €17 per person with children at a reduced rate. To put this into perspective, the average hourly employment rate for Graz is €23 per hour, just short of €50,000 annual wage. We witnessed significant amounts of money exchanging hands.

During the conference, there was the opportunity (for an additional cost) to attend seminars. However, there was very little time to do so, and in fact, Emma was the only team member able to attend the Michells seminar presented by Raul C Rivera Velasquez on fibre production and processing in Peru which was presented in English and very informative.

Meanwhile there was the showing of alpacas (judged by Mr Robin Nasemann, and Dr Ritu Huayta) to one side of the hall with educational oral reasoning given in several languages. The fleece show was being judged live (judge Dean Ford and Mr Aturo Pena) as an educational opportunity for many to learn about the assessment of characteristics, attributes and faults. Again, translators were giving a running commentary throughout. Huge crowds were drawn to both learning opportunities and all judges were highly approachable to converse with and learn from, freely sharing information and knowledge.

We were fortunate enough to secure an invitation to the buffet and fashion show on Friday evening, which showcased some beautiful attire from around the world both in pure and blended alpaca yarns from the top fashion houses who produce alpaca garments. Thank you Amanda (VandenBosch). This was followed by a showing of Vicuna Salvation – the incredible conservation story of a magnificent species that produces the finest, most expensive fibre in the world and the empowerment of an indigenous community that lives 15,000 feet above sea level in the Peruvian mountains. Mike Saffley took questions from the audience afterwards (www.quechuabenefit.org).

We said farewell to Graz late on the Sunday afternoon for the long drive home. During our time in Graz we made good contacts with breeders, judges, other associations and delegates who were very interested in purchasing alpacas from the UK to establish herds where none or few currently exist. All those we spoke with expressed a keenness to work with UK breeders, to be able to sell and share genetics in an attempt to reopen the import/export markets.

Currently many European associations implement strict restrictions on European herd owners who import alpacas from the UK. We were able to provide information leaflets in both English and German about exporting alpacas from the UK into Europe as well as statistical evidence of the health status of the national herd in the UK. This information was well received and accepted. Further, the BAS was invited on a reciprocal no attendance fee basis to attend one of Germany’s national shows – Germany has four associations – and Simon Klink attended the BAS National Show along with other (prospective) owners who travelled from Europe.

The board agreed that a further presence in Europe could only enhance the good groundwork achieved in Graz. Some three weeks later, the familiar faces of Neil and Emma retraced steps back to Hohenlohe (a 920 mile round trip from Calais) – a rural agricultural livestock venue in the middle of nowhere. Again, the format of the show was very much around the shopping experience of alpaca goods – finished products, yarns and goods as well as an array of husbandry items, local produce and demonstrations. There was no indication of sponsors and, as in Graz, the alpacas were housed inside an adjoining building and accessed the show ring via a one-way system to be judged by Jenny Jackson (Australia). As this was a smaller show than the conference, Emma and Neil were able to spend more time conversing with breeders, understanding the politics of the German industry, as well as learning of the complete restriction of alpacas entering Germany at this time. Sadly, due to this restriction, the organisers made us aware that there were fewer exhibitors than in previous years; however, the German breeders made up for that and were able to enter greater numbers than usual.

At both shows tote bags were handed out to breeders and visitors containing the BAS information document (in German and English) as well as information leaflets on herds, products and services from those members who wished to be included.

Again, good relationships were formed, and it is hoped that the BAS can initiate a future European conference for all the associations to meet face-to-face to try and further dispel concerns over import/exports and to aid the relaxation of some of the restrictions on purchases from the UK based on statistics, the high bio-security and health checks required by herds exporting to Europe. Grateful thanks must also go to Michelle Payne and Kate Ryan who each travelled to one event. Kate is a BAS young member as well as West Wight‘s farm manager and is engaged with the younger owners and breeders.

European shows centre their alpaca events very much around the products that are produced from alpaca fibre. Trade stand holders varied from wholesalers of Peruvian goods to wines, locally grown potatoes to soaps which all contributed to the huge footfall achieved by both events. The strangest alpaca related products that we found was an alpaca felt pillow filled with dried grass! Certainly, both events had been widely advertised and visitors travelled many miles to attend.