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Manitoba Resident Faces $20,000 in Fines for Illegal Wildlife Activities As Part of Operation Northern Fur

Manitoba resident Jeffrey Ross was fined $20,000 fine at the Provincial Court after admitting to four violations of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act. These charges, arising from Operation Northern Fur, a joint initiative to dismantle illegal wildlife trade within the country and between Canada and the United States, followed a three-year joint investigation involving Environment and Climate Change Canada, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Manitoba Conservation Officer Service. The implicated animal parts included those from wolves and cougars, designated as Appendix II species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The fines will contribute to Canada's Environmental Damages Fund.

New Documents Reveal Wolves, Bobcats, and Lynx Farmed for Fur in Canada

Documents obtained by the Fur-Bearers through multiple freedom of information requests have exposed fur farming practices in Canada involving wolves, bobcats, and lynx. This adds three iconic Canadian wildlife species to the list of animals kept captive and killed for their fur pelts, bringing the total to six, including minks, foxes, and chinchillas. Fur farms in Alberta and Saskatchewan, not traditionally associated with fur farming, were identified in the investigation. The largest fur farm in Saskatchewan, operational since 1996, reportedly houses lynx, wolves, and foxes. This discovery, placing Canada on the global map for controversial fur farming practices, has re-ignited calls to end the industry in the country.

European Commission's Delay on Animal Welfare Proposals Sparks Criticism

The European Commission's decision to publish only one of four promised animal welfare proposals, focusing on animal protection during transport, has raised concerns among NGOs and activists. Despite public support, including 1.4 million signatures for initiatives like "End the Cage Age" and "Fur Free Europe," there is a growing fear that the proposed regulations concerning Kept Animals, Slaughter, and Labelling might be abandoned entirely. Eurogroup for Animals, along with other animal rights groups, continues to urge for comprehensive legislation, including bans on live exports and improvements in transport conditions, highlighting the urgent need to update the fifteen-year-old animal welfare rules.

Ontario Taxidermist Fined $60,000 for Violating Wildlife Trade Regulations

Cyril D'Souza, an Ontario taxidermist, has pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA). The charges stem from inconsistent information in export permits used to send a polar bear mount and two hides to China in 2018. D'Souza was fined $60,000, with the funds directed to the Canadian government's Environmental Damages Fund. He was also ordered to forfeit a polar bear mount and two hides. Under WAPPRIITA, exporters must obtain a permit before exporting regulated species from Canada. The investigation revealed that D'Souza was deceptive and planned extensively in intentionally providing false and misleading information to obtain the permit, contrary to section eleven of WAPPRIITA.

EU Reconsidering Animal Welfare Regulations Over Food Inflation Concerns

The European Union is re-evaluating its plans to implement animal welfare regulations in the farming industry amid fears of their impact on food prices. The European Commission had promised to address issues like livestock cages, the killing of day-old chicks, and fur production, but concerns over rising food costs, exacerbated by the Ukraine-Russia conflict, have led to a reconsideration. While some officials suggest scrapping the proposals entirely, others are considering scaled-back versions. These regulations are part of the EU's Green Deal climate package, but conservative politicians are pushing back ahead of 2024 elections.

Report on “Animal Markets and Zoonotic Disease in the United States” Receives Extensive Media Coverage

The “Animal Markets and Zoonotic Disease in the United States” report, published by the Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard Law School in conjunction with the Center for Environmental and Animal Protection at New York University, has garnered widespread media attention from various outlets worldwide. Analyzing thirty-six animal industries, including exotic pet trade and backyard chicken production, the report assessed their potential risks for zoonotic disease outbreaks. The findings were prominently featured on the front page of The New York Times' ScienceTimes section and USA Today, warning of the staggering risks posed by US animal industries. Another aspect of the report was discussed in The New York Times' Science section, focusing on the possibility of a new pandemic originating at county fairs. The report features photographs by Canadian photo-journalist Jo-Anne McArthur. Brooks Animal Studies Academic Network (BASAN) collaborators from two Canadian universities, the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law and the University of Victoria’s Animals & Society Research Initiative, provided resources and research assistance funded by the Brooks Institute for Animal Rights Law & Policy.

Nova Scotia Mink Industry Enhancement Program and Subsidies Discontinued

The Nova Scotia Mink Industry Enhancement program, along with its corresponding website, has been taken down, indicating the discontinuation of provincial subsidies for mink farms. The Fur-Bearers organization verified with the Department of Agriculture that the program is no longer being offered by the province. The department explained that while the program was previously available under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Agreement, it is not currently offered under the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Agreement. This development suggests a shift in the province's approach to supporting the mink industry in Nova Scotia.

Report Reveals U.S. Animal Industries as High-Risk for Infectious Disease Outbreaks

A report by experts at Harvard Law School and New York University reveals that the United States’ animal industries, including industrial agriculture, fur farming, and the exotic pet trade, pose a significant risk of infectious disease outbreaks in humans. The nation lacks a comprehensive strategy to address these dangers, as many of these practices operate with little regulation. Zoonotic diseases, which spread from animals to humans, account for a majority of infectious diseases. The report challenges the notion that such risks are limited to foreign countries, emphasizing that Americans engage in high-risk practices, such as live bird markets and live animal markets. The findings call for increased regulation and public education to mitigate the risks.

New Report Reveals Environmental Impact of Fur Production Exceeds Other Fashion Materials

A report commissioned by Humane Society International/United Kingdom and conducted by carbon footprint experts at Foodsteps highlights that the environmental consequences of mink, fox, and raccoon dog fur production are significantly worse than those of other fashion materials. According to the report, fur has the highest greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram compared to cotton, polyester, and acrylic, with mink fur having a carbon footprint thirty-one times higher than cotton. Water consumption for fur is also alarming, with the three animal furs scoring worst among materials analyzed. The report challenges the fur industry's claim of being environmentally friendly and urges governments to ban fur imports and sales.

The Bay Goes Fur-Free

The Hudson’s Bay Company (the Bay), the oldest retailer in Canada and once the largest fur trader in North America, has stopped selling products made with real fur. The Bay is among several retailers and designers that have gone fur-free in recent years, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Canada Goose, Nordstrom, Versace, Michael Kors, and Gucci.