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Nova Scotia Mink Farms Accessed Nearly $100M in Government Funding from 2013 to 2018

According to documents obtained by The Fur-Bearers, mink farms in Nova Scotia accessed $99,380,834 in AgriStability funding between 2013 and 2018. AgriStability is a risk management program that is offered to agricultural producers to help protect them from large declines in their farming income caused by production loss, increased costs, or market conditions. The costs for AgriStability are shared by the federal and provincial/territorial governments. Given the public health threats of mink farming seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Fur-Bearers are calling on provincial and federal governments to redirect funding to help fur farms transition to more sustainable and ethical industries.

European Union Adopts Resolution Calling for End to Illegal Wildlife Trade by 2025

The European Parliament adopted a resolution urging the elimination of illegal wildlife trafficking in the European Union (EU) by 2025 and urged all countries to step up enforcement of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Parliament stressed the importance of ending wildlife trafficking and the exotic pet trade in order to curtail the transmission of zoonotic diseases, prevent future pandemics, and deter transnational criminal syndicates. The resolution comes as the market for exotic pets has grown in the EU, and globally, and as CITES parties prepare to meet in Panama next month.

FDA Announces Availability of Final Monkeypox Guidance

The Food and Drug Administration announced the availability of final guidance entitled “Policy for Monkeypox Tests to Address the Public Health Emergency.” The guidance document has been implemented without prior comment, but it remains subject to comment at any time.

Moncton SPCA Rebrands and Offers Pet Care For Those Staying in Domestic Violence Shelters

The Greater Moncton Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) rebranded as People for Animal Wellbeing (PAW). The move was made in an effort by the group to differentiate itself from other unrelated SPCA organizations in the province with which it is confused and in order to reflect the novel and wider scope of services they will offer. PAW President Christian Moger stated on August 4th that temporary programs such as the community pet food bank and the pet safekeeping program for those staying in domestic violence shelters will become permanent as part of the organization’s new direction. PAW is completely funded by donations, and Moger states that a fundraiser is in development for September, after previous fundraisers were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fredericton SPCA, which will not participate in a similar name change, is working on an education plan that will differentiate the provincial SPCA, the New Brunswick SPCA, as the enforcement agency for animal abuse in the province, making it clear to the public that the other SPCA named groups are independent shelters.

One Horse Euthanized After Falling in Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Race

The Calgary Stampede ran from July 8th to 17th, and included rodeo events such as the chuckwagon races despite six horse fatalities during the event in the 2019 Stampede. This year, one horse had to be euthanized after falling and being injured during the controversial chuckwagon races. The incident occurred despite event organizers introducing new protocols for worker and animal safety. Animal Justice filed a legal complaint about the cruelty and reminded readers that in the past seventy years, no one has been prosecuted for animal cruelty at rodeos. The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has long condemned chuckwagon racing, calling it a dangerous event for both horses and people. VHS gathered with activists to protest the chuckwagon races. Read more here.

Calgary Animal Rescue Organizations Declare “Crisis”

With an increase in animal surrenders, a decrease in adoptions, and many animals in need of care, Calgary city officials have said that the city’s animal welfare organizations “are in crisis.” In conjunction with the Calgary Humane Society and the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS), the city released a statement saying that pet shelters, humane societies, and rescue shelters are currently full. An increase in dogs displaying problematic behaviour has been reported, possibly due to lack of adequate training and socialization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more here.

Shine Lawyers Joins Global Animal Law Association to Push for United Nations Convention on Animal Health and Protection

Australian law firm Shine Lawyers committed to working with Global Animal Law Association (GAL) to advocate for a United Nations Convention on Animal Health and Protection (UNCAHP). In an interview with Lawyers Weekly, Shine Lawyers solicitor Paul Tweddell, who will be working with GAL, stated that Shine Lawyers’ value of “standing up for the little guy” aligns perfectly with GAL. He states that the “UNCAHP is important to acknowledge and protect animals as individual sentient beings capable, as humans are, of feeling pain, fear, sadness, happiness and love.” Tweddell noted especially in Australia, animal welfare issues arise in the agriculture industry’s use of live animal transport and medical procedures performed without anesthetic, as well as the use of animals in entertainment such as circuses and rodeos. Tweddell drew specific attention to zoonotic diseases and COVID-19, and the connection between human and animal health. On the topic of why an international convention is important, Tweddell stated that waiting for domestic legislation would take too long, and that he believes adoption of a UNCAHP is achievable. Read the interview here.

New Article Argues for the End of Mink Farming in Nova Scotia

Sarah Frame, “Sinking Mink: An Argument for Ending the Mink Industry in Nova Scotia” (2022) 45:1 Dalhousie Law Journal. Download article here.

Abstract: Nova Scotia produces more mink pelts than any other province, but its fur farming industry imposes costs disproportionate to its benefits. These costs include the substantial financial aid given to mink farms, the toxic algae blooms in some lakes, the frequent spread of viruses from mink to humans and wildlife, the regular and wasteful mass culls of diseased mink, and the animal suffering caused by captivity, neglect, and abuse. Federal and provincial legislation does not and cannot provide meaningful protection to mink because of innate species characteristics and the cruelties inherent in the fur industry. Due to the association between mink farming and the spread of COVID-19, British Columbia plans to prohibit the practice; Nova Scotia should do the same.