WINNIPEG—Animal Justice, Canada’s leading animal law organization, has launched a formal complaint with the province’s Ombudsman following Manitoba Agriculture’s refusal to disclose basic information about mink farms operating in the province and their location.
Earlier this year, Animal Justice submitted a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) request to Manitoba Agriculture seeking basic information about mink fur farms in the province, including their business names, addresses, and the number of animals kept and killed at these farms. This request was made in light of growing public concern over the animal welfare and zoonotic disease risks associated with mink farming.
Despite the importance of this information for public health and animal welfare, Manitoba Agriculture refused to disclose any of the requested information, claiming it was an unreasonable invasion of a third party’s privacy and could harm companies’ business interests.
In 2014, a joint investigation by the Montreal SPCA and The Fur-Bearers documented shocking conditions on fur farms across Canada with animals living in filthy conditions in tiny cages. Injuries were commonplace, including cannibalisation and infections. A 2018 exposé at an Ontario-based farm found similar conditions.
Fur farms also pose significant public health risks, with COVID-19 outbreaks occurring on at least three Canadian mink farms and, more recently, mammal-to-mammal transmission of avian flu at mink farms in Europe. These risks led B.C. to ban mink farming in 2021. Dozens of countries worldwide have similar bans in place. Experts warn that mink, likely more than any other farmed species, pose a risk for the emergence of outbreaks and the evolution of future pandemics.
In its complaint, Animal Justice strongly urges the Ombudsman to require Manitoba Agriculture to disclose the requested information in the interest of public health, environmental protection, and animal welfare.
“Though federal data suggests there are three mink farms in Manitoba killing more than 25,000 animals each year, little else is known about the industry in this province” said lawyer Kaitlyn Mitchell, director of legal advocacy at Animal Justice. “It is deeply concerning that Manitoba Agriculture is withholding basic information about the companies involved. Transparency about this secretive industry is critical for an informed public dialogue—especially in light of horrific animal suffering documented time and time again at Canadian fur farms and significant risks to public health.”
Contact:
Josh Lynn
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
Kaitlyn Mitchell
Director of Legal Advocacy
[email protected]
