Strict rules, inspection needed on mink farms: industry group
The outbreak of a disease at a Newfoundland mink farm is proof of the need for tough laws to fight deadly animal infections, the leader of an industry group says.
The virus that causes Aleutian disease has been confirmed at an unspecified farm, raising concerns that other farms— if not the entire industry— could be at risk. Aleutian disease causes reproductive problems and poor pelts, and is often fatal.
Merv Wiseman, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Fur Breeders Association, said the province needs a licensing system.
"We need to get a little more aggressive," said Wiseman.
"We don't have licensing at the moment, and I believe we should. I just can't imagine that we wouldn't have the right under legislation to visit farms and inspect and make sure that animal welfare legislations are being taken care of."
Wiseman said at least a dozen mink farms in the province are at risk, because they bought breeding stock from the infected farm.
"Obviously, current regulations have not been stringent enough to prevent this from happening," said Jim Mullen, the president of the Nova Scotia Mink Breeders Association.
Nova Scotia has had serious problems with Aleutian disease. Mullen said Newfoundland and Labrador can learn from his province's experiences.
"New and stringent regulations dealing with the importation of mink should be introduced."
Quarantine orders remain in effect
The Newfoundland and Labrador government, meanwhile, has ordered quarantines onallthefarms raising mink.
Claude Bishop, who manages a farm for a Danish owner in the central Newfoundland community of Harcourt, said no animals and equipment will be moving in and out of the farm, and no visitors are allowed on site for now.
Bishop said the farm's staff of 15 know little about the outbreak.
"We haven't been notified by any authority or any government department that we have Aleutian disease or any other kind of disease," he told CBC News.
The owner has started a new operation in nearby Lethbridge, and uses a common feed kitchen for both. If the disease is located on the farms, as many as 40,000 animals may need to be put down.
Officials have been clear to point out that Aleutian disease does not pose a risk to humans.
The mink industry, which has grown rapidly in Newfoundland and Labrador within a few years, has annual production valued at about $70 million.