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Source: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/ethics/british-columbia-ban-mink-fur-farming-covid/
British Columbia Announces Ban On Mink Fur Farming Over COVID-19 Fears
Public health officials and infectious disease experts recommended the ban
by Jemima Webber 53 mins ago
British Columbia (BC) has announced it will phase out its mink fur farming industry. The Canadian province named the sector a public health risk due to COVID-19.
Public health and disease experts recommended the closure. The advice was based, in part, on data from the BC Centre for Disease Control, an arm of BC’s Provincial Health Services Authority.
It warned that mink farms could increase the likelihood of the SARS-CoV-2 virus mutating in mink, and then transferring back to humans. The center also cautioned that such mutations could influence vaccine effectiveness.
Experts also raised concerns about the virus being transmitted from escaped mink to wild animals, which again poses a risk to public health.
“This decision follows the recommendations of public health officials and infectious disease experts about managing the threat of the virus for workers at the farms and the broader public,” commented Lana Popham, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.
“Our government will work with affected farmers and workers to help them pursue other farming, business or job opportunities that support their families.”...
British Columbia Announces Ban On Mink Fur Farming Over COVID-19 Fears
Public health officials and infectious disease experts recommended the ban
by Jemima Webber 53 mins ago
British Columbia (BC) has announced it will phase out its mink fur farming industry. The Canadian province named the sector a public health risk due to COVID-19.
Public health and disease experts recommended the closure. The advice was based, in part, on data from the BC Centre for Disease Control, an arm of BC’s Provincial Health Services Authority.
It warned that mink farms could increase the likelihood of the SARS-CoV-2 virus mutating in mink, and then transferring back to humans. The center also cautioned that such mutations could influence vaccine effectiveness.
Experts also raised concerns about the virus being transmitted from escaped mink to wild animals, which again poses a risk to public health.
“This decision follows the recommendations of public health officials and infectious disease experts about managing the threat of the virus for workers at the farms and the broader public,” commented Lana Popham, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.
“Our government will work with affected farmers and workers to help them pursue other farming, business or job opportunities that support their families.”...
