There are no cases of COVID-19 in Canadian mink farms, but the pandemic illness has nevertheless dealt harsh blows to the industry.
Marianne Patten, executive secretary of the Canadian Mink Breeders Association, said the economic effects have been devastating. Active buying of pelts came to a halt early in the pandemic and has only recently started again. Live auctions were halted in spring due to health restrictions, and online auctions were unsuccessful.
“Fur is a tactile product that buyers need to examine before they purchase,” said Patten.
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Recent live auctions have had limited attendance due to travel restrictions, which has reduced sales, Patten told a Nov. 24 webinar organized by the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council.
“Canadian producers as a result of COVID-19 have experienced an absence of cash flow, and sale prices were below the cost of production for all producers. It created uncertainty as to when and if the product would sell, and many of the COVID-19 relief programs were not well designed for the mink sector.
“As a result we have seen a decline in producer and production numbers.”
The pandemic has drastically reduced global mink production and is expected to result in loss of infrastructure, genetics and research. It has also taken an emotional toll on producers, Patten said.
The cull of 17 million mink in Denmark, after 237 of the country’s 900 mink operations had infections, drew headlines. The cull forced the resignation of the Danish agriculture minister after he faced public backlash for ordering the mass destruction. The affected mink were found to have a mutated version of the COVID virus that spread to at least 12 people.
In the Netherlands, 70 premises reported infections, leading to destruction of all mink on those farms. Eleven mink farms in the U.S. have reported cases, as well as one in Sweden and a small number in Spain.
“It should be noted that farming conditions in Canada and Canadian mink farms are very different than are seen in Denmark and the Netherlands,” said Patten. “Canadian farms are smaller and less concentrated geographically as well as having a smaller number of employees.”
Denmark raises 10 times more mink than Canada and does it in an area the size of Vancouver Island.
On a positive note, Patten said the pandemic has changed fashion trends and desires, with consumers now seeking clothes that are better for the planet, retain their style and are made from materials that can be produced sustainably.
“Fur possesses all these qualities that the fashion industry is searching for. The fashion industry and fashion consumers are moving away from the ‘fast fashion’ trend and this has only been accelerated by COVID-19.”
