The Ecological Aspect
It is important to mention that the raising of alpacas and a substantial part of the alpaca production chain are carried out in perfect harmony with the natural environment near or within the Andes, which are so representative of Per.
Since ancient times the alpaca has been considered as a sacred animal which provided the highest quality of fiber, and was regarded as a more valuable asset than gold or jewels.
Nowadays alpacas are raised so they can be shorn of their fine fiber. It should be noted that the animal is not killed for this purpose; it grazes on natural pasture in an environment which for centuries has been free of pollution and human intervention.
It is of crucial importance to exploit these favorable circumstances in order to promote this significant asset seriously and with the priority it deserves. As Peruvians and business-people occupied in the alpaca sector, we feel it is something very much our own, for its relationship with the history of Per and originating, as it does, in our deepest Pre-Columbian roots. Our predecessors reached unusually high levels in the techniques of animal raising and the result was alpaca fiber of excellent quality, both in fineness and in the variety and definition of natural colors - much better in fact than today. Garments were made with textile designs and techniques of astonishing sophistication, and we have an obligation to honor this legacy by making this activity achieve once more its true socio-economic and cultural significance in our country.
