What are the RISKS?

Following are responses from Singapore Airlines this morning our Monday.6/9/10

" Our current and normal operating pattern is to change aircraft in Singapore"

" As some time ago with Auckland/Heathrow, Singapore Airlines would consider any request for the same aircraft with a minimum of six weeks prior notice"

" The number of main deck positions and revenue would need to be a minimum or 2, preferably 3".

" The same through aircraft destination would need to be Amsterdam"

" Any decision to offer same aircraft shall remain subject to operating aircraft remaining servicable, on the required schedule to ATD Singapore.

" Singapore Airlines will not be liable in the event that ANY event beyond Singapore Airlines's direct control causes a extended delay in Singapore and/or late minute aircraft change"

This will quantify how conditional the means of delivery offered is, and that all risk remains in play through to departure Singapore at the exporters expence.

To complete the wider picture - customers and regulatory authorities need also be aware of the the following.

D7 - AKL/SIN - 0410/0830 - B744F - 10.84hrs (Needs this 3.47hrs earlier departure from normal to make the connection)

D7 - SIN/AMS - 1020/2210 - B744F - 17.84hrs (Via Madras and Sharjah - Total: 30.32hrs AKL/AMS)

Next earliest back up

D7 - SIN/AMS - 1355/1140+1 B744F - 27.75hrs (Via Johannesburg and Nairobi - Total : 43.37hrs)

The Alternative...................A proven means to competitivley deliver SYD/Canada+residency+Canada/UK-EU with no risk, and meeting current EU Protocols.

RISK.....NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE

Under the guidelines of my AQIS licence i am trained to follow every procedure to the T.
But there is also the ASEL- which is the Australian Standards of Exporting livestock, and the Importing Country's Importing conditions.
It is not me, nor my government or an airline that decides what i can do or not.
It is the Importing country's dicision, what tests, and precautions are to be met. It is up to AQIS to make sure these conditions are met.
The same in the third country, in this case, NZ, are the regulatory body to make sure the EU conditions are met.
For any condition, especially travel conditions, through disease zones throughout the world, no matter what country we are talking about, there is certain conditions the importing country will accept.
These are stated on their Importing conditions, and then the Importing country has to accept these as well.
These cannot be changed at a moments notice, and negotiation is by government to Government.
Conditions take a long time to be changed in the EU, as each country has to vote on any changes to the conditions, i am told there are 28 different countries that have to vote, and many different languages, which everythig has to be translated to each language.
This is not taken lightly by any government, and sometimes negotiations can take months and years.
The Europeans can see how important these importing conditions are, We are very lucky in NZ and in Australia to date, and i touch wood when i say this, is that we have not been affected by any major disease situation.
Although Australia did get late 2007 and the beginning 2008, cases of horse Influenza, which we were free of, and had never had it.
Through extremely tough measures within 6 months this was wiped out of Australia, but it bought the horse racing industry to it's knees and if not picked up straight away, and the tough measures not taken by our government, it would be a different story now, and not a good one.
so Biosecurity os so so important for all of us to understand.
Please read Pt 3 my next blog

THe Facts come to light

When I start thinking of doing an export, i have to lodge a document called.
NOI CRMP.
NOI is Notice of Intention to Export.
CRMP is
CONSIGNMENT RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN
I emphasise the word RISK.
No matter what we do in our every day life, whether it is driving a car, planning a holiday or Importing / Exporting alpacas.
We must always reduce our risk, whether it be Injury, sickness, travelling to different countries and not knowing their laws, or Importing and exporting alpacas.
So, under Australian Exporting Legislation, which maybe different in each country, but under our legilsation, i have to plan and foresee any risk at all, right from the start of the Quarantine to the time the alpacas arrive at their destination.
The first part of planning, is to study the Importing country's protocol.
So when you are exporting say to the Eu, even though it is through a third country system, as directed by the Eu commission, (current regulations for exporting from Australia), it is a very complicated and complex document, that refers to this directive, that had been amended and then refers to another directive, and another directive, etc.
So complex, the interpretation, of these documents is essential, that both the exporting country and the destination country gets it exactly right, not half way right...exactly right.
There cannot be one mistake on any exporting documentation, that accompanies the crate to the destination country.
Quarantine officials in all countries, as very strict.
They are trained to be, as they are protecting the Biosecurity of their country.
BTV (Bluetoongue virus), is at the crust of most of the protocols, no matter what country we export to.
It is a large issue because, at the moment, the BT Virus does not cross species.
It does not cross from cow to cow, but the mosquito deposits in the cow, ( I am only using the cow as an example), the virus, the cow only is the host for the virus, and then when the next mosquito (correct term midgee), bites the cow (and it has to be a certain type of midgee, not all midgees), it picks up the virus in the blood, and passes it to the next cow.
So at the moment, the midgee is the thing that has and passes the virus around.
It is not transferred currently from animal to animal and not from animal to human, and currently not from midgee to human.
I went to a top level Australian Biosecurity meeting a couple of years ago, in Parliment House, Canberra, and one thing these top Australian scientists did say, is the one thing to always be aware of.
VIRUS CAN CHANGE.....AS WE HAVE SEEN IN AIDS ETC.
So that we can never say that BTV will never pass from species to species to human.
ANother alert is, that scientists al over the world are looking at all these viruses like BTV and say Q fever for instance as future chemical warfare weapons.
This is the reason, that many British Importers would remember around Feb, 2008, whether trade was ceased between NZ and the EU.
The reason, was the flight route stopped at Singapore, which is in a permanant BTV ZOne, and at this port the doors have to be opened.
then there is risks of exposure to the BTV, whilst the doors of the plane are opened, the midgees could enter the plane.
This is why when the EU realised that the plane was stopping in Singapore that the Eu Importing Conditions were not being met.
The only soluton was picked up by a flight forwarding expert, whom i am very privilaged to work with in my consignment flight plans.
I will continue in the next blog

FACT or FICTION............AUST...NZ....EU

As these emails are linked to many importers and exporters, i am sure it is all public knowledge, and ok for me to copy and paste many aspects of a prospect offered by a breeder which at this stage my officials and experts in the Protocol, and flight connections, and what is actually viable.
under current conditions.
My only intention is by announcing this, is so that breeders do not get caught up sending alpacas via NZ, and then realising that they are stuck there, and the expense to get the alpacas to Eu from NZ, will be approx 5 times the previous price, and the current price we offer via the alternative Prooven Route, which is a much simplier, and risk free alternative.

Subject: Europe flights ex NZ

Hi all

After exhausting efforts we have negotiated the following services from NZ into Europe.

Singapore Airlines and I have looked at the possibilities to ensure that we have connecting services after Cargolux pulled out of this region.

Its a freighter service so 2 tier crates are available on each flight making it cost effective.

At this stage all charges will remain the same so this is great news for all concerned and no US transit permits!!!!

1 x 2 tier crate (up to 24 head)

Effective 29Aug2010
SQ7295/Sun STD AKL 0140hrs STA SIN 0830hrs
SQ7364/Sun STD SIN 1020hrs STA AMS 2210hrs

Response 1 from our flight specialists

Raelene,

Thank you for presenting a broad side view of ....................... of existing UK-DEFRA + EU protocol specifically prevent “any aircraft change” along the delivery route between NZ and UK/Continental Europe. I have had many phone/email exchanges with SQ in both NZ and SQ, post Cargolux, to established under what conditions SQ would offer a same through aircraft. Back on 18^th-August SQ proposed the two B744F services below “Based on a change to protocol allowing the aircraft change”. We accepted SQ’s conditions and move forward. To the best of my knowledge, as at yesterday (4/9/10) there has not been a change of protocol.

.................... protocol ....... goes further, SQ’s offer of their two CONNECTING flight is also conditional of the SIN/AMS scheduled service times being able to change to make the connection work – otherwise they do not.

Thanks for the opportunity to separate fact from .................... proposal clearly showing lack of attention to protocol detail.

Third expert response

Dear .........,

Your email of the 19th August has come to my attention and I would respectfully like to point out the following:

After the withdrawel of the weekly Cargolux Freighter service Sydney>Auckland>Los Angeles>Luxembourg, I feel it is important to draw your attention to the 'Addendum for Transport of Animals by Air' which forms part of the Export Certificate for Llamas and Alpacas to the European Union (including Switzerland and Norway) LAMANIEC.EU 01 December 2008 page 8 of 8. A copy is attached. The Certificate number (top left hand corner) is an export certificated signed 22nd August 2010. This complies with the European Commission Directive which clearly states that there are to be NO PLANE CHANGES.

MAF NZ is well aware of this as the last time this rule was broken, the export of alpacas was completely stopped. We had an anxious time getting export trade re-instated.

For our part, we are looking for ways to export alpacas from New Zealand to Europe other than the current service that complies with the rules. We are continuing to move alpacas, albeit in single crates for the moment.

I would like to give my response to the huge ? which will muddle anyone that does not understand the workings of the export game, governments and protocols.

For the original suggestion to work, it is not the decisions of 1 person or exporter, but it has to be agreed upon by the EU, firstly to change the protocol, as per The third response.

Whilst in Singapore the doors are opened, which is IATA regulation, and this is not allowed by the EU protocol.

The reason it is not allowed by the EU protocol, is Singapore is in a permanent BTV Zone.

To change this Eu protocol or obtain a dispensation odes not happen overnight, and can only happen government by government.

You also have to negotiate NZ MAF to also agree, to any conditions the EU proposes.

By experience with the EU committee, this is not an easy exercise, and the EU commission will not budge on anything to do with BTV, (Blue tongue), As per the Expert 2 response, there is a lot of things tat play to make any connection work.

Currently Promises is not proven and risky.

We now can currently export via our alternative route, with no risk, and deliver to 8 destinations throughout Europe.

We can currently still supply the NZ customers with flight arrangements going through to AKL and now i am told through the Christchurch. All Main deck which means double and 5 times a week, which works out pr KG (animal kg weight), $9.45, If i look at the freight cost only for the Aus through to PEQ and then follow on to Eu (8 destinations), it works out $39.13 per kg, (which it always has been),
and still moving considerable amount of animals a not determined on trying to make up the double crates.

Currently, on small payload lots, freight only, from AUS via Auckland, then the follow up flight through to Heathrow, works out $59.33 per KG, flight alone from Auckland to Heathrow, small payloads, works out to $48.32 per KG.

This is current facts.

No what ifs or risk.

We have proven that we can easily, with less stress all round, complete the journey through our alternative route, hassle free.

AND IMPORTANTLY ON THE CURRENT EU PROTOCOL.

PLEASE ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT THIS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK.

I CAN GIVE YOU AN HONEST CURRENT SITUATION ON ANY PROTOCOL FOR ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, ON ALPACAS, AND I CAN GET THE CURRENT FLIGHT POSSIBILITIES TO ACHIEVE A HASSLE FREE SHIPMENT TO THE DESTINATION COUNTRY, MEETING ANY CURRENT PROTOCOLS.

I HAVE BEEN SHIPPING ALPACAS NOW FOR 8 YEARS.

I HAVE BEEN USED AS A CONSULTANT TO REPRESENT THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT AND BIOSECURITY IN MEETINGS WITH THE EU COMMISSION, I HAVE ALSO BEEN THE CONSULTANT FOR NZ MAF AND AUSTRALIA FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ANY PROTOCOL OR CHANGES TO PROTOCOL FOR THESE GOVERNMENTS, I HAVE ASSISTED OPENING NOW 4 COUNTRIES PROTOCOLS FOR ALPACAS AND OTHER SPECIES. I AM ON THE AUSTRALIAN EXPORT COMMITTEE, I AM A MEMBER OF LIVECORP,

I DO HAVE EXPERIENCE IN UNDERSTANDING PROTOCOLS, AND UNDERSTANDING RISK IN TRYING TO CHANGE PROTOCOLS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE EU PROTOCOL, AND THE REASONING BEHIND THE EU PROTOCOL.

AS I HAVE SAID, THE ABOVE FROM EMAIL SENDER NO 1, IS PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE AS THIS EMAIL HAD BEEN SENT TO MANY EUROPEAN, NZ AND AUSTRALIAN BREEDERS.

I HAVE OMITTED ANY NAMES PURELY, AS NOT TO BE POLITICAL

I HAVE STATED THE EXACT FACTS AT THIS CURRENT TIME.

I AM NOT MISLEADING ANY ONE WHICH WHAT I HAVE STATED ABOVE.

THE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE I OFFER, HAS BEEN COMPLETED THROUGH TO EUROPE, AND RISK FREE, AND STILL COMPETITIVE IN PRICE TO WHAT IT PREVIOUSLY ALWAYS HAS BEEN.

I AM ONLY OFFERING FACTS AT OF THIS MOMENT.

Do what you do best of all......

This weekend, Sunday is booked out 3 trips to the airport and back, and weighing animals per crate size, and taking them to the airport.
Saturday, i have to take a break as the workload is exhausting at the moment.
So we had 5 groups of people come through the gate over the past few days.
some are people buying pet alpacas, with the intention of seeing how they go with the alpacas, and they are interested in females, only basic stock at this stage.
Which we have seen before, Alpaca fever bites, and there is of course only one cure....buy more alpacas.
ROb gives his usual one on one talk about what this industry intails, and how wonderful these alpacas are to farm.
and two lots buying some females, and a couple of pet males, (one mature wether, as they are near a forest and have foxes going through, so i want them to have protection which this wether will protect with his life), and a young one just off his mum, so they can play with this one, and take him for walks, etc, and leave the pregnant ones alone to have a stressfree pregnancy.
Total tally, i think i have given up counting, over the past few weeks, i think we would have sold about 20 pet quality males, and male guards, about half a dozen females, just the cheaper ones, as they want to try then out first before spending the bigger money, and a couple of goats to eat the blackberries.
Promoting alpacas to new breeders is one of our answers to making this Industry viable.
We love selling alpacas, to new breeders and guiding them through so they can produce quality offspring.

THE MASTER OF MARIAH HILL

Taking the place of Stefano, Cristiano, who are now deceeased, Vallon takes their place as head macho.
First sign of sunshine for the spring, heads through my office window, and there My Vallon stands, Like a statue, surveying his domain.
Purusing from the best angle of the majority of the paddocks, making sure all is in order.
My heart melts, at the site of him standing there, like his precedessors, knowing he is King of Mariah Hill.
The sun rising.....he is on the alert, keeping an eye on every one in his domain.....his herim

Down Memory lane..some of my favourite alpacas we have bred

cl

Black Onyx, who by 1 day made the Intermediate class at the National Alpaca show in Australia.

A huge class of over 30 award winning alpacas, Black Onyx comes 2nd.

The judge’s (2) after taking a long time to make her decision, explained why he did not come first, although displaying the best fleece on the day, he was the youngest in the class, and had to give the benefit of the doubt to the older alpaca for retaining his qualities at his age.