World Alpaca Conference
“Vets have very little knowledge of alpacas and many
breeders are geographically isolated so building a network has been diffi cult,” she explained. “There are opportunities, however, including a strong tradition of textile manufacturing and a fashion industry that needs to innovate to stay on top of the market.” Future aims include setting up a national register, organising shows and meetings, and strengthening collective work with international associations and commercial partners.
Paul Whittey made a generous donation of 33 duvet sets which were auctioned at the gala dinner.
GOLD SPONSOR – Penrose Products Gold sponsor was Penrose Products Ltd, manufac- turers of luxurious bedding and soft furnishings made with alpaca fi bre. “We’ve been delighted with the response we’ve had at this conference,” said managing director, Paul Whittey. “We’ve made some excellent contacts and really got the message out there about our business and how we can help boost the UK alpaca industry by providing breeders with another income stream. “We differ from the fashion end of the market in that our entire product range uses 100% raw alpaca fi bre, but the second and third cuts, in other words the by-product that all breeders are producing for the complete life of the animal.” The company’s ranges include Penrose Naturals, Penrose Organics, Penrose Linen, Penrose Nursery and Penrose Furnishings. “Through our marketing strategy we are constantly raising awareness of alpaca fi bre and its benefi ts,” said Paul. “In March, we received a Small Business Sunday award from Dragon’s Den’s Theo Paphitis so we’ve even got alpaca onto his radar!” For further information on Penrose Products or how to become a fi bre provider, visit
www.penrose-
products.com.
ITALY
Rani Bianchi from the Italian Society
of Alpaca described challenges
including climate (drought can be problematic) and a historical resistance to innovation that characterises the agricultural industry.
16 Alpaca Summer 2012
Karen Oglesby (left) and Vicky Agar. “The talks have been fantastic, catering for breeders at all levels. The venue is wonderful, particularly the dining facilities, and there’s a great atmosphere. Everyone is in very good spirits, and it’s a prime opportunity to meet up with old friends and make new contacts. And because there’s no business and no animals, we can concentrate on having a good time and learning. The only criticism is that the workshops clash with the lectures but there’s so much to cram in, it was probably unavoidable.”
FINLAND
Sini Honkala, Chair of the Alpaca Breeders of Finland, said that the fi rst
alpacas were imported from Sweden in 2002 and the current population stands at nearly 1000. “Challenges include long, cold winters with only three to four months of grazing,” she explained. “There are also diffi culties around importation as animals must be quarantined for 12 months.”
Alpacas in Finland are generally viewed as pet or therapy animals, not as fi bre producers.
Plans for the future include increasing the number of
breeders, improving fi bre characteristics and density, and bringing import regulations in line with the rest of Europe.
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