Step in to control waste, stink at mink farms, report says
Newfoundland and Labrador's rapidly growing mink farming industry has little enforcement to deal with manure and rotting carcasses, a new report has found.
The report, completed in March by Halifax-based researchers with Dalhousie University's School for Resource and Environmental Studies, found that the majority of fur farmers bury dead animals at local landfills.
As well, the researchers found that some farms have piles of manure that are not properly covered, not all farmers are cleaning cages properly, and some farms do not have a large enough buffer zone with their closest neighbours.
"Due to the overall lack of enforcement of waste management practices, mink farming has become what some consider a non-controlled industry," the authors concluded.
CBC News obtained the report through provincial access to information legislation.
The mink industry burst from having just 1,000 breeding animals in 2001 to 60,000 in 2007, the report said. Direct sales now top $17 million annually, and the industry is valued at $38 million.
The report calls for better regulations that can be enforced, and suggests that the Newfoundland and Labrador government cap the number of breeding animals.
As well, the report said the provincial government needs to ensure that farmers start composting dead mink on their own farms.
The report, which was completed for the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, was launched after neighbours of some farms complained about strong odours and infestation of flies.
Merv Wiseman, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Fur Breeders Association, said rules are needed to govern the industry, which he said could grow to be worth $60 million this year.
However, Wiseman cautioned against over-regulation.
"It's up to us now to achieve some level of balance between what they put out as a report and what the needs of the industry might be, and what it takes to move the industry forward without being encumbered by regulations and the costs associated with regulations," he said.
"The industry has been moving and developing very rapidly here, and in fact, it's been hard to keep up with it, quite frankly, from a regulatory perspective," Wiseman said.