Doctors call for end to B.C. fur farming amid COVID-19 concerns
A number of infectious disease doctors in B.C. are pleading with the premier to ban fur farming permanently.
In an open letter to John Horgan, 29 B.C. infectious disease specialists call mink fur farms a serious public health risk that requires immediate action.
“The ongoing presence of large mink fur farms in the province risk development of animal reservoirs and novel variants that threaten to undermine our COVID-19 vaccination program and public health efforts,” reads the letter.
At least 200 mink died after contracting COVID-19 at two Fraser Valley fur farms in late 2020. Earlier this year, a mink tested positive for the virus at a third farm. In response, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a moratorium on breeding the animals in July. The ban is scheduled to be lifted at the end of January.
Dr. Jan Hajek, an infectious disease doctor at Vancouver General Hospital, says the temporary ban is ineffective, because mink breeding season occurs in the spring. Hajek fears the virus circulating among hundreds of thousands of captive mink in small spaces could spell disaster for public health.
“As (COVID-19) spreads amongst the mink and jumps from human to mink and back, it can accumulate more mutations, making the virus more lethal or more dangerous, and potentially more resistant to our immune system,” Hajek says.
He adds surveillance studies in Denmark show mink that have been infected with COVID-19 once can be reinfected, and genomic studies of the virus on mink in B.C. fur farms found the presence of a mutation associated with partial resistance to antibody-mediated immunity.
This month’s open letter is the second one sent to government officials on this topic this year. In March, infectious disease specialists, with the support of other groups, including the BC SPCA and Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, called for a review of the licensing and permit process for breeding and confining mink on fur farms. Hajek says the no one from the health or agriculture ministries responded to them directly.
In a statement to CTV News, B.C.’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries said “The B.C. government continues to use enhanced surveillance to monitor, inspect and mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infections in mink farms in the province to protect the public, farm workers and animal health, as a provincial review of the mink farming sector in B.C. continues.”
According to the BC SPCA, there are nine mink fur farms and one chinchilla fur farm operating in B.C. The farms employ approximately 150 people.
“(The provincial government) could support them into transitioning into another industry,” said Hajek.
CTV News has reached out to fur farm advocates, including Canada Mink Breeders Association, for comment.
Oct. 18, 2021 update: The Canada Mink Breeders Association has issued a statement in response to the open letter from B.C. doctors. Read the full statement below.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
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.