The Online Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers was launched in May 2002 in response to a perceived need. By August we had about two dozen members and were starting our second monthly programme, which was a fleece challenge with a difference. The future survival of our rare primitive breeds of sheep is endangered under the National Scrapie Plan. Because of their susceptibility to this disease, it is possible that the Food Standards Agency's intention to remove their meat from the menu. This could mean no income for the breeders of these sheep and consequently a disastrous reduction in their numbers. Clearly, if there is to be any chance of their survival, alternative forms of income must be found to allow at least some farmers to continue to keep rare breed sheep.
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