The BC SPCA is calling for the immediate suspension of all mink farm licenses, after eight workers on a Fraser Valley fur farm tested positive for COVID-19 and hundreds of animals there have died from the virus.<\/p>\n
The BCSPCA says a moratorium is needed to reduce the risk of further disease spread, including the risk to wild animals and domestic pets.<\/p>\n
Studies in Denmark show the COVID-19 virus mutated in mink, causing concern among epidemiologists, who say vaccines may not be effective if the virus mutates too much. This week, a wild mink near a farm in Utah tested positive for the virus and cats near farms in Denmark have also tested positive.<\/p>\n
There are 13 mink farms in British Columbia with 100,000 animals. More than 200 mink on the affected farm in Abbotsford died from COVID-19 as of Dec. 8, just two days after the outbreak was declared among farm workers. There are 15,000 mink on that farm, all kept in small cages, side by side.<\/p>\n
BCSPCA Policy Analyst Geoff Urton says it's likely hundreds more animals have died over the past week. He says allowing such farms to continue operating is cruel and a recipe for disaster.<\/p>\n
Here's Geoff Urton:<\/p>\n\n