B.C. phasing out mink farming by 2025 over COVID-19 concerns
British Columbia is beginning a process to phase out the farming of mink in the province, Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham announced Friday.
The process, which is being implemented because of concerns over COVID-19, is expected to be completed by April 2025, Popham said.
Mink on three different B.C. farms have tested positive for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 since last November, and groups including the BC SPCA, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, and more than two dozen infectious disease specialists have called for the end of mink farming in the province.
Denmark ordered the slaughter of millions of mink in November 2020 over concerns that the coronavirus could mutate in the animals and be passed back to humans.
Popham promised that B.C. would provide support to mink farmers and their workers as they wind down their operations.
"We know that it is in the best interest of public health that this decision is made," Popham said. "Our government will work with affected farmers and workers to help them pursue other farming businesses or job opportunities that support their families."
Those affected by the phase-out will also be eligible for existing government benefits programs, the minister said.
There are currently nine mink farms operating in B.C. They employ approximately 150 people.
The province plans to implement a permanent ban on breeding mink, with a ban on housing live mink at the existing farms by April 2023 and the end of all mink farm operations, with all remaining pelts sold, by April 2025.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said after B.C.'s first two mink farm outbreaks, officials believed the COVID-19 risk posed by the industry was low.
"(We thought) we would likely be dealing with one-to-two outbreaks per year in the small number of farms that we have here in British Columbia," Henry said.
"Since that time, however, we have had another outbreak on an additional farm that has not been able to be cleared, despite increased biosecurity measures, ongoing testing, vaccination of staff and the many, many different measures that we've put in place."
Henry said there is ongoing transmission of COVID-19 between humans and mink on one farm in the province, and three farms are on quarantine orders.
"Mink farming continues to be a health hazard, in my opinion and the opinion of my public health colleagues," she said. "We don't see that assessment changing in the short term."
In addition to concerns about mink being a possible source of new, more-virulent or vaccine-resistant variants of the coronavirus, Henry also noted the possibility that escaped mink could transmit the virus to wild animals, which would also pose a risk to public health.
Mink breeders are slamming the province’s decision, calling it radical and unnecessary.
“We’ve had less than five per cent of our Canadian (mink fur) farms become positive with COVID-19. I think that’s commendable,” said Matt Moses, a Nova Scotia mink farmer and former president of the Canada Mink Breeders Association.
Moses believes the move to shut down mink fur farms is politically driven.
“This life-changing decision for our B.C. producers was based on pressure from activist groups and vocal minority groups,” he said. “It’s not based on science, research, or facts.”
The agriculture minister denies the decision is anything but an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“As we’ve worked through this decision and taken the advice of public health officers, I can assure you this (decision) was based on public health,” Popham said.
Notably, the BC SPCA also criticized the province’s rationale for ending mink farming.
"I think it's an interesting choice to ignore the animal welfare issues,” said Marcie Moriarty, the BC SPCA's chief prevention and enforcement officer.
Moriarty added that her organization is pleased with the province’s decision.
Henry said the multi-year time frame for the phase-out is intended to give mink farm operators ample time to get the best price for their remaining stock.
While live mink will be allowed to be kept on the farms until early 2023, she said she anticipates that there will be a "much reduced" number after the current pelting season. The province believes it can manage any safety risk posed by the remaining mink populations over the next year and a half, Henry said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near a major airbase at the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.