Here you can find some of the events we have participated in.
www.ecroa.org | 
contact@ecroa.org
Watch the morning session recording on YouTube: @ECROACHANNEL –> Here
On June 7th, we held our first Technical Day in Berlicum, at Europe’s largest camel dairy farm: Cameldairy Smits. A landmark moment for our community — a day of sharing, learning, and charting together the road ahead for camelids in Europe. 
A heartfelt thank you to Marcel Smits and Franck Smits for welcoming us to their exceptional farm — and for also sharing a major legal development for our sector:
Historic ruling by the Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb) — May 28, 2026
The Dutch Minister of Agriculture must reassess the dromedary’s status as a permitted species. The court ruled that the previous decision was poorly founded: the domestication criterion cannot be limited to genetics alone. It must also take into account existing husbandry practices, available knowledge, and social acceptance. The CBb emphasises that the dromedary no longer exists in the wild, that it has been kept by humans for centuries, and that its close relative — the Bactrian camel — is already recognised. A ruling that goes beyond Dutch borders and could influence other European countries. 
Among the personalities present and involved:
Full Prof. Pierre-Guy Marnet — our scientific guest of honour. He presented the progress of the European CamelAit4MED research project on camel milk, co-funded by the EU (PRIMA Programme), with partners Institut Agro Rennes-Angers, CIRAD, and INRAE.
Olivier Philipponneau — President of ECROA, who presented the association’s missions and action plans to support the camelid sector.
Christina Adams — American communicator very active in France and Europe on the benefits of camel milk, particularly for people with autism.
Mudassar Yasin — present online, sharing his grassroots experience in the UK and his work with the Hump Group, specialised in camel milk distribution.
Giorgia Ulderici — Italian student specialising in animal husbandry.
Edwin Guyot, from the association LES BOSSUS HAUT-MARNAIS, who will begin his camel dairy farming activity in January 2028. Welcome Edwin! 
Dr. Salman Khan — unfortunately could not join us due to a visa delay. We warmly thank him for his scientific contributions on camelid health and welfare, particularly through his work at the International Camel Festival in Riyadh.
Beke Marquard — manager of a unique large camel dairy farm in Germany, located in Hiddingen. Registered but held back by farming obligations.
Julien Job — manager of La Camelerie, a unique large camel dairy farm in France. Registered but also unable to attend.
Christèle Derosch— Les Dromadaires de Camelarzac (France), also expected.
Thank you all for your commitment — your presence, even from a distance, matters to ECROA. 
This day was not a total success — and we fully acknowledge that. But it allowed us to set a clear direction, propose concrete actions for our members, and analyse together the processes that work. Constructive exchanges, a community moving forward.
ECROA is useful to its members. And its members are essential to ECROA.
www.ecroa.org | contact@ecroa.org Watch the morning session recording on YouTube: @ECROACHANNEL –> Here
Thank you so much for joining us at the 1st ECROA Webinar with Full Professor Pierre-Guy Marnet on the CAMELAIT4MED project.
Your presence, questions and contributions made this first edition a real success — and a strong signal that our sector is ready to move forward together.
A recording is available shortly on our youtube. You can see it here.
On August 16 and 17, 2025, the Histoire de Chameaux event will take place in a unique setting, at the foot of Mont Saint-Michel, which attracts more than 25,000 visitors every day in August.
This ambitious event is the result of collaboration between the French Camel Federation, the Agro Institute of Rennes and Angers, the French Association of Llamas and Alpacas, and the Pontorson Racecourse. Currently in preparation, it is already shaping up to be an unmissable event for all those passionate about camelids and their world. Many other partners and participants are expected to enrich this event in development.
Watch a reel on instagram from the event: Click Here
Organized by the French Federation of Camel Sports, this event brings together jockeys from France, Europe, and the Arab world on the historic 1540-meter track. In addition to the races, an educational exhibition will raise public awareness about animal welfare and the rich traditions related to camelids. It will be a festive and immersive day in the heart of the Alps, blending Saharan heritage with sporting innovation.
On Saturday, August 9, 2025, the Aix-les-Bains racecourse, nestled in the heart of Savoie, will host an extraordinary event: the fifth edition of the dromedary races, a unique event of its kind in Europe. This event, now firmly established in the summer landscape of Savoie, promises an unforgettable day blending exoticism, Saharan tradition, sporting performance, and animal welfare awareness.
It was planed for 2020 but like so many other events it was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Finally the First European Camel Festival toked place on August 28th. and 29th. 2021 in Switzerland on Ben’s Kamelfarm close to the airport Zurich.
There were still Covid-restrictions to fallow so we were happy most of the European members were able to join the event.
On invitation of the ICO 26 ECROA members from 12 countries were invited to attend the Kind Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia.
A wonderful, interesting, once- in – a lifetime experience for all participants.
Camel Races, a camel beauty competition, “the 1000 camel race”, different meetings and a trip to Fort Masmak were all part of the trip.
And, of course, time to get to know each other and work on the ECROA goals.
On invitation of the Maroccan Camel Racing Club three representatives of the ECROA where invited to attend the festival.
This is what Natalia, Monika and Julian experienced:
The festival took place 900 km south of Casablanca, in the town of Assa Zag in the desert. The organizers and society welcomed us friendly. Mr Oili Banca, the organiser treated us like his own family. There were also guests from other countries at the festival.
The opening of the festival took place on the first day. We listened to Moroccan music, got to know their traditions and culture, and also had the opportunity to admire the landscape. During the festival, we met representatives of the local community and told about our organization in Europe. They were very surprised that there are also camels in Europe.
Julian had an active discussions and gave numerous interviews.
The organizers were very proud of our participation in their festival.
The camel races took place on the second and third day. This was a great experience.
Mr Oili Banca and the organisers will be at a festival in Saudi Arabia and are looking forward to meeting other ECROA members and for a good cooperation.
The organization of our trip and stay was organized very well.
Thanks again for the opportunity to learn about Moroccan culture and to be at the camel festival.
