Mink disease spreads east

The head of the Newfoundland and Labrador Fur Breeders Association is calling for a cull after a disease that threatens the province's mink industry spread to farms in the eastern region of the province.

Aleutian disease was first found at a farm near Clarenville, about 180 kilometresnorthwest ofSt. John's, in June. Since then, the disease has spread further east, where more than half the province's mink industry is located.

The disease is highly infectious and kills animals by destroying their immune systems. It also affects reproduction and pelt quality.

Merv Wiseman, president of the association, said it is time to do something to rescue the industry. He wants to destroy all the mink on farms that are infected and rebuild from there.

"The fur breeders are certainly committed to the idea that we would want to recover our Aleutian disease-free status here in the province," Wiseman said. "In the short term, we know that some farmers will suffer and maybe there will be farmers who won't be able to recover without some kind of help."

Wiseman said he knows of one farm in particular where the infection has spread to 80 per cent of the animals, "which means that these animals have got to go anyway."

Wiseman said rebuilding the industry is going to require millions of dollars from the provincial government, but the Department of Natural Resources, which overseas the fur industry, isn't sure what it will do yet.

Aspokesperson said the department is waiting for a report on the full extent of the Aleutian disease infection from the provincial veterinarian. The report is expectednext week.

The industry is estimated to be worth about $70 million annually.