Why we must put an end to cruel mink farming
As 17 million mink are tragically culled amid COVID-19 fears, animal rights campaigners are hoping the barbaric fur industry has finally had its day…
THE WAY WE’RE KILLING ANIMALS
FOR FASHION IS KILLING US
After a mutated form of COVID-19 known as “Cluster 5” was found on mink farms in Denmark, the government there has ordered a total shutdown of all fur farms in the country during the pandemic. The mink caught coronavirus from farm workers, with a mutated form of the virus transferring back to humans.
Only 12 people – eight of whom had a link to the mink farming industry – are thought to have been infected with this new strain, but scientists have given a stark warning that, if not contained, it could lead to a second epidemic of people being infected worldwide with this mutated strain. And health secretary Matt Hancock told MPs that the “serious steps” of banning travel to Denmark were important to avoid “grave consequences” for the UK.
SUFFERING
In response to the outbreak, and amid fears the mutated virus posed a “risk to the effectiveness” of a future vaccine, the Danish government has been forced to cull up to 17 million farmed mink – but animal rights campaigners hope the move to close farms could finally spell the end of fur farming for good. Every year, more than 130m innocent animals suffer as a result of the fur trade. Reared on factory farms, they are forced to live in tiny cramped cages before being gassed or electrocuted. But while fur farming has been banned in England, Wales and Scotland since 2002, the material can still be brought into the country – with the UK importing almost £55m worth of animal fur last year alone.
PETA director Elisa Allen says, “Fur farms packed with sick, stressed, suffering animals are revolting places – not only are they horrendously cruel, they are also dangerous breeding grounds for diseases and have been identified as COVID-19 hotspots.” The mink crisis in Denmark adds to the list of animals known to be at risk of catching the virus. Last month, it was revealed that lions and tigers at a New York zoo had caught the disease from their keepers. A recent study by University College London also found that at least 26 mammals could be susceptible to the virus, including orangutans and gorillas, which are already endangered. Scientists warned that it was important to “protect animals, as well as to protect ourselves.”
EXPLOITATION
In response to the coronavirus fears on fur farms, the Netherlands will close its remaining farms in March
2021 – three years earlier than planned. France and Poland have also announced an end to mink farming. Elisa continues, “Coronavirus outbreaks have occurred on fur farms around the world – including in Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the US. The situation in Denmark is very alarming, and the Danish prime minister has warned that this new strain could weaken the body’s ability to form antibodies, limiting the effectiveness of a future vaccine. The way we’re killing animals for fashion is killing us. Whether it’s mink, fox, rabbit, or any other animal, fur farms not only inflict suffering, they also pollute waterways, wreak havoc on ecosystems, and pose a danger to human health. PETA is urging Denmark – and all countries - to ban these pandemic petri dishes immediately. No one needs a mink coat, but we do need an effective vaccine.”