[ballingall]

I'm sure that's true.
However, goats would not affect the cattle export market, pet or not.

Yes they do, because, in the case of FMD, if some pet goats are vaccinated, then the whole country cannot be declared FMD free.

I don't think you would be allowed to vaccinate any kind of goat, as they are classified as farm animals that can (and do) enter the food chain. That's what differentiates them from alpacas for example.

 Yes, that's what I meant- it's why you can't vaccinate pet goats (or any ones) because then there would be animals in the system who might enter the food chain- or even their offspring because I am not sure how that would work either.


Beth

[Anke]

I'm sure that's true.
However, goats would not affect the cattle export market, pet or not.

Yes they do, because, in the case of FMD, if some pet goats are vaccinated, then the whole country cannot be declared FMD free.

I don't think you would be allowed to vaccinate any kind of goat, as they are classified as farm animals that can (and do) enter the food chain. That's what differentiates them from alpacas for example.

No longer the case 100% - alpacas are now entering the food chain....
http://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/9200967.Alpaca_first_for_Eastington_company/

Wow  .... have they changed their classification then? Given that breeding females still sell for a few thousand quid per animal, that would be some expensive meat... and DO WE NEED IT? 

[jinglejoys]

With so many Alpaca's being churned out better to do something with the surplus not good quality rather than just breed more

[plumseverywhere]

Wonder if its because alpaca breeders are finding it hard to stay afloat on what the average alpaca offers    Prior to venturing into goatkeeping, I went to Moreton show to find out more about alpacas in a view to keeping them. The breeders I spoke to were visibly downbeat basically saying if you can't make decent clothes out of the fleece/fibre, then you'll never make any money out of the beasts. Coupled with the fact that they looked to me like something out of starwars up close, I settled for goats (and truth be told I'm rubbish with textiles). Maybe alpaca stew/curry/roast is a really good way of bringing some money back in during the economic downturn if people aren't buying nice alpaca jumpers but opting for cheaper options 

[Anke]

In a country with 90odd different breeds of sheep with all sorts of wool on their backs I always wondered what alpacas had that sheep didn't.... I prefer to spin sheeps wool to alpaca...
I know a few people have got out of Alpacas..., but eating them must mean quite a loss to them on the whole... also do we need another (very expensive!) meat to eat in these tight times... I would rather opt for rabbits and other cheap meat (what about muntjac deer...)
Soory, hijacked the thread somewhat...

[Bumblebear]

I would rather opt for rabbits and other cheap meat (what about muntjac deer...)
{/quote]

We had a gorgeous muntjac roadkill goulash with goats sour cream last week...

[Lesley Silvester]

Why do I never find road kill like that?

[jinglejoys]

I just turned into my driveway to open the gate on thursday and there was a muntjac just comming towards me,I've yet to teach Chelsea that Muntjac doesn't begin with "R" and therefore a no no!

[Anke]

We had a gorgeous muntjac roadkill goulash with goats sour cream last week...

None in Scotland (yet...). I have so far not had the guts to pick up road kill pheasants (which is usuallly the only one I find that would be remotely edible), as they often look really mangled...