Canada is home to a robust fur-farming industry of mink, fox, marten, fisher, chinchilla and a handful of other fur-bearing species. Humane Society International states on its website that Canada killed a whopping total of 1.8 million animals for their fur, the vast majority of which were mink. • Nova Scotia mink is among the top agricultural exports in the province.• There are 116 licensed mink farmers in Nova Scotia.• On average, half of Canada’s mink pelts come from Nova Scotia.• In 2016, Nova Scotia shipped approximately 1.4 million pelts to global markets.• The largest fur markets of NS mink are China, Korea, and Russia.• Mink farming contributed over $54 million to the Nova Scotia economy in 2016.• New provincial environmental regulations came into effect in 2016.• Our members follow a national animal welfare code.• Mink farming utilizes waste products and provides valuable fertilizer/nutrients to other agricultural industries.• Mink are the most commonly farm-raised furbearers in North America. The American mink (Mustela vison) is a small, amphibious weasel inhabiting wetlands throughout Canada, excluding the tundra, and abundant on the BC seashore.. Health officials in Canada have declared a COVID-19 outbreak at a mink farm in British Columbia. The FurMark certification program is being developed to provide consumers with the reassurance they need to confidently buy fur. Nova Scotia Mink Breeders Mink farming in Denmark has now been banned until the end of December 2021. The operator of a second British Columbia mink farm with animals that tested positive for COVID-19 has euthanized the remaining 1,000 mink, says the province's chief veterinarian.. The fox and mink farming industries contribute to the Canadian economy . • On average, half of Canada’s mink pelts come from Nova Scotia. The farming of mink only exists for the production of luxury products that contain fur. COVID-19 strains, which are infecting mink and subsequently … • Nova Scotia mink is among the top agricultural exports in the province. Not surprisingly, COVID-19 has been identified on a mink farm in British Columbia, Canada, in the midst of Canada’s 2nd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the feet are not webbed, mink … “In Denmark you have a very high concentration of production in a very small area,” said Herscovici. Mink farming in Denmark has now been banned until the end of December 2021. Meet Jeff Mitchell on his Oxford County, Ontario mink farm. This photo from an Ontario fur farm in 2014. And B.C. The following mink statistical briefer provides market information statistics including number of farms, mink production, farm cash receipts and average mink pelt price in Canada. “It is also important to note that the conditions of mink farming are very different in Canada than in Europe. Mink farming in Canada dates back more than 100 years, at times facing bitterness from neighbours over pollution concerns and the smell of large-scale operations. Urton notes that mink are permitted to be farmed in B.C. The following is … Canada has imported mink on an annual basis, usually from the U.S. Fraser Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at a mink farm in the Fraser Valley after eight people at the facility tested positive for the disease. Mink is a medium sized member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) and was first raised in captivity during the Civil War in Lake Casadacka, New York. CMBA, on behalf of its members, provides leadership in research, best farming practices, marketing, and promotion of the interests of the fur farming sector nationally and internationally. through exemptions to the provincial Wildlife Act’s prohibition on keeping of native wildlife: “The mink who are farmed in B.C. In 2018, over 260,000 mink were killed for fur in B.C. According to the most recent statistics from Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, there were 98 mink farms in Canada. Mink farming is an area of the global wildlife trade. • In 2016, Nova Scotia shipped approximately 1.4 million pelts to global markets. mink farms highlight the controversy over mink farming Mink at a Fraser Valley farm that was the site of a … Fur Mark is a world-class, comprehensive certification and traceability program that covers sustainability, animal welfare and the dressing and the dyeing of fur, so when it comes to purchasing the product, you can be reassured that it meets recognised national and international standards. Photo via danefromspain / Getty Images Fox adds that all of B.C. In Canada, the highest numbers of fur farms are located in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, according to the Canada Mink Breeders Association. The MCAP was developed in collaboration with veterinarians, animal welfare representatives, researchers, government representatives and producers. Its goal is to ensure the permanent prosperity of the Canadian mink farming industry. Denmark and the United States are among six countries that have reported new coronavirus cases linked to mink farms, the World Health Organization said. Mink farming is very different in Canada than in Denmark, where some 1,200 farms were producing more than 17 million mink in an area about the size of Vancouver Island. We are stewards; our mink breeding practices have been on-going for over 75 years and mink is one of the largest agricultural exports of Nova Scotia. According to 2018 data from Statistics Canada, we are home to 98 mink farms. Although figures vary from year to year, in 2010 approximately 72% of Canadian furs came from farming operations. She says there are no other reports of COVID-19 at B.C.’s eight other mink farms. The CMB works with Canadian and Global affiliates on behalf of Canadian Mink Farmers. After COVID-19 was diagnosed on the first farm, the B.C. Mink are known to be susceptible and that they can … Description . News of an outbreak of COVID-19 at a mink farm in BC’s Fraser Valley is yet another warning that we need to stop the industrial exploitation of animals.. It’s important note that so far, the virus has only been found in people on the farm, not in the mink. I began to realize that these people [are] working with the animals because they have an appreciation for the animals and respect for the animals, and they actually enjoy working with the animals, because if they didn’t, I don’t think that they would do it. Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Mink. Mink farming is an area of the global wildlife trade. Fraser Health—one of five publicly funded health care regions in the province—said in a statement that eight people at the farm had tested positive for the disease. The first mink farming attempts in Canada took place during 1866-87 by Patterson Bros in Richmond Hill, Ontario. The first mink farming attempts in Canada took place during 1866-87 by Patterson Bros in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals called for a moratorium on mink farming in the province. Health officials in Canada have declared a COVID-19 outbreak at a mink farm in British Columbia. They bite readily and are handled with thick leather mitts. This task can be very time consuming, however, is very important. Officials are screening several more employees as well as tracing the contacts […] These wild animals are auctioned and subsequently shipped around the world to live their lives in tiny cages. The highest concentration of … Health authorities announced a COVID-19 outbreak related to a mink farm in British Columbia's Fraser Valley. Winding up fur farms Time is now for Canada and other countries to scrutinize fur farms if not for the minks, then for human health. Kopenhagen Fur, a co-operative of 1,500 Danish breeders, accounts for 40% of the global mink … This is the latest in a string of COVID-19 outbreaks related to mink farms. In Canada, mink farming is a far smaller industry than in Denmark. Hamers: Canada's mink farms should be shut down over potential COVID link. A mink feeds off a dead fellow in a filthy cage at a fur farm in Quebec, Canada, 2014. Each Canadian province differs, but fortunately B.C. Not-for-profit association formed in 1952, National Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Mink. In the 2011 Canadian Census there were 137 tobacco farms located in Ontario, three in Quebec, and one on Prince Edward Island. The Mink Care Assessment Program (MCAP) is a mink industry initiative undertaken in conjunction with the NFACC (National Farm Animal Care Council) to develop an on-farm animal care assessment program based on the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Mink. • The largest fur markets of NS mink are China, Korea, and Russia. In July all mink (kits and adult breeders) are vaccinated. Mink have been farmed for fur in the United States for 130 years, though domestic demand for fur started to decline rapidly by the late 1980s. The latest data from Statistics Canada found that there were 98 mink farms in Canada as of Dec. 2018. Alan Herscovici, a spokesman for the Canada Mink Breeders Association, says imposing strict quarantine and biosecurity measures at mink farms for … There are about 60 mink farms across Canada, including in B.C. • There are 116 licensed mink farmers in Nova Scotia. Recent COVID-19 outbreaks on two B.C. In Canada we use a 4-Way vaccine, protecting against Distemper, Pseudomonas, Enteritis and Botulism. Mink farming history The farming of mink was pioneered in the USA more than 150 years ago, during the Civil War, at Lake Casadacka, New York. On Friday, Kevin Hoffman, a spokesperson at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, told CNN 2,000 mink have died from the coronavirus at a Wisconsin farm as well. These wild animals are auctioned and subsequently shipped around the world to live their lives in tiny cages. For your convenience, this report is available in the following format: PDF (32 KB) We grow, harvest and sell high-quality, sought-after mink all over the world. First mink farming attempts in Canada took place during 1866-87 by Patterson Bros in Richmond, Ontario. Alan Herscovici, a spokesman for the Canada Mink Breeders Association, says imposing strict quarantine and biosecurity measures at mink farms for about two weeks appears to … COVID-19 strains, ... Canada’s Plan To Vaccinate 600 Inmates Met With Fierce Resistance. The call comes after eight workers on a Chilliwack fur farm tested positive for COVID-19. Mink typically breed in March and give birth to their litters in May. Mink is a medium sized member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) and was first raised in captivity during the Civil War in Lake Casadacka, New York. Viral outbreaks on mink farms show a parallel pandemic to that of humans and many of the same protection measures are required to help animals. “This outbreak in B.C. Eight farm workers were reportedly diagnosed with COVID-19 over the weekend, so now testing of the mink is underway. The first attempts to raise mink in Canada were recorded in the 1870s, by the Patterson Brothers, in Richmond Hill, Ontario. The value of Canadian fur exports topped $400 million in 2017, with mink produced on more than 200 farms across Canada. Alan Herscovici, a spokesman for the Canada Mink Breeders Association, says imposing strict quarantine and biosecurity measures at mink farms for about two weeks appears to limit the spread of COVID-19 to other animals. A total of 1,786,600 foxes and mink were bred into Canadian fur farms that year. • The largest fur markets of NS mink are China, Korea, and Russia. COVID-19: B.C. More than 60,000 Canadians work in various sectors of the fur trade, as trappers, fur farmers, craftspeople and other support sectors. The value of Canadian fur exports topped $400 million in 2017, with mink produced on more than 200 farms across Canada. The farming of mink … Mink Statistical Briefer. Hi Sherry, BC currently has 13 mink farms located in the Fraser Valley. At present, Canada has approximately 70 mink farms, which contain less than 2 million mink at any given time — a fraction of the 17 million mink in Denmark. Mink farming is very different in Canada than in Denmark, where some 1,200 farms were producing more than 17 million mink in an area about the size of Vancouver Island. Story continues The association says 1.7 million farmed mink were produced in Canada in 2018, mainly in rural communities and the industry employs more than 60,000 Canadians. In preparation for breeding, mink are positioned within the barns depending on the breeding system practiced on the farm.Usually this involves small sections of male mink surrounded by larger sections of female mink.Most farms breed a ratio of 4-5 females for every male.This positioning makes the transfer of females into the males' pens more efficient and less labour intensive. According to Statistics Canada data, there were 98 fox farms and 27 mink farms in 2018. In August growth of the winter fur begins. Nova Scotia, Ontario, and British Columbia produce the most pelts. In 2010, the U.S. ranked fifth in production behind Denmark, China, the Netherlands, and Poland. The BC SPCA is calling for a moratorium on mink farming in this province through an immediate suspension of all mink farm licenses. Mink farming is an area of the global wildlife trade. Mink are naturally aggressive […] farm following a COVID-19 outbreak, the province's SPCA is calling for a moratorium on the practice of raising the mammals for fur. Mink are aggressive animals and must be handled with care. They are slaughtered in November and December. Scientific research findings are the basis for these standards. 's farms are located within the Fraser Valley, which is part of the problem. The outbreak, declared by the BC government after eight people at the site tested positive for the virus, is the first in Canada, but similar outbreaks are occurring around the world. 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