TB in Alpacas

[redhill]

Has any body out there any information on this.
We were told yesterday by a beef farmer in the South West that they are "dropping like flies", one keeper near her had lost 8 out of 14, but testing is not compulsary.
It would be interesting to hear whats going on in the rest of the country.

Sue Castlemears herd

[Broomcroft]

Defra say this:

"South American camelids (llamas, alpacas, vicunas, guanacos)
Bovine TB (bTB) is not a major health problem with camelids, but these species do occasionally develop the disease. Although reports of infection in their natural habitat in South America are few, cases of bTB have been diagnosed in llamas and alpacas in New Zealand, the USA and in Great Britain."

Apparently there has been a case in Cornwall according to the web, and also DEFRA are offering £750 per Alpaca which has to destroyed in an effort to get people to report cases.



Edited By Broomcroft on 1246618044

[acrossthesea]

In the past we exported Alpaca into the U.K. and we have had to test for Bovine T.B. before they are exported. This is a requirement. Even a inconclusive would rule export out. No retest would be done. We are not required to test as a rule. I think that this is due to the compensation that would have to be paid if found to be positive. Its one thing paying £1000.00 for a Dexter and £10,000.00 for a male Alpaca in compensation. We also have red and sika deer around us which also carry B.T.B. These are only tested when they are shot or road killed. The badger also is only tested when road killled.
Howard Hilton Hillhead Dexters (N.Ireland)

[mike skelton]

O.K. TB is pretty scary stuff especially when you are in a one year testing area. Is there a standard charge for compensation for various animals and does anyone know what these prices would be . I would just like to add to anyone who has lost any cattle that i am very sorry.

mike

[Broomcroft]

I think this is the latest table of compensation payments from DEFRA:

www.defra.gov.uk/news/2009/090701.htm