I suppose that in an attempt to be fair to all parties that the legislature, in todays ever needing to consult, and lacking any useful justice department, went to a stock arbitrator. Perhaps now, its back to the legislature – who should realize that they represent the real majority in this issue.
A consultant said [translated by Google] of the price drops “there will be no money to pay the interest on the loan or the bread and butter for mink farmers.”
As Canada’s fur farms sell to the very same markets as the world-leading Danes, we can expect a sharp decline in value – and that will mean, hopefully, fewer mink kept in tiny cages and killed each year.
Hello Ty. Yes, the farmers here are suffering as well. Most resource industries are cyclical so we would be unwise to rely too heavily on any one of them.
BTW I asked the department of environment about complaints about mink farming. The last one was more than a year ago and the farm in question was definitely not the source of the problem. It had ben closed for some time.
Mr Black, One thing you don’t mention, is the cyclical nature of the mink ‘farming’ business in Nova Scotia. After this past warm winter in China, where the bulk of the dead mink skin and fur market is, the price per pelt is down to about $60-$70,from last year’s record high price of about $100 per pelt. 20 years ago it was $20-$30 a pelt. It could go back to that low.
Here in Canada, most people would be quite embarrassed to be seen wearing a fur, or a fur trimmed coat. They realize that ‘farming’ mink involves putting a wild animal into a tiny cage, where they spend their entire life. When they’re taken out, and dropped into a box full of carbon monoxide, Their needless suffering now ended with their unnecessary death. The cultural differences concerning animals between Canada and China are large. China also has a large dog and cat fur farm industry. Most Canadians find that repugnant. A Chinese dog fur farmer would wonder why, when we do the same thing to foxes and mink. In China, Dog and cat fur are made into coats, and trim on gloves, purses, etc, like the fur from mink are. There are no labeling requirements on fur garments imported to Canada. You may well be getting a dog or cat fur trimmed coat in your local big box store, made in China.
It is bad advice for this province to rely on an industry as cyclical as fur ‘farming’. Consumer whim could knock out those 1000 jobs here in NS in the space of a year or 2. Another reason we shouldn’t be relying on this sick industry, is public opinion, which in the end will decide to end this ‘industry’. This is a democracy after all. Dollars don’t decide everything. Just the other day, there was a court ruling in The Netherlands,
A setback for the 10 year phase-out of fur farms that was passed in 2012 there. The ban passed there did not include a sufficient plan to compensate the ‘farmers’. It’s a big business in The Netherlands. The government there is appealing. Because they represent the peoples’ will.
Other countries that have banned the abhorrently cruel business of fur farming – England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland (around 2000), Austria (2004), Switzerland (Severely restricted amounting to a ban), Croatia(2007), Bosnia and Herezegovena (2009), Slovenia, (2013 – 95% of Slovenian MPs voted for a ban), Italy, (2008, defacto ban), Bulgaria has also banned them, as have several states in Germany. There was a free vote last year in Finland, 70,000 people wanted a ban. There are popular movements in Denmark, and Ireland for a ban on fur farming.
When most objective people have a look past the dollars earned from cruelly raising and killing the mink for their pelt, when they see a living breathing, thinking, high-metabolism, beautiful animal – living trapped in a tiny cage, deprived of the life his or her nature dictates – when they see it with their own eyes, most people say no. I don’t want to be a part of this sick thing. The only reason fur farming continues in Nova Scotia is most people are not aware of the size, and nature of the cruelty involved in this ‘business’.
Here’s a map I made, showing the fur farms in Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland (Fox, and Mink fur farms):
One of the largest can be seen if you zoom in, Willowdale Farms, near Berwick. I count 109 mink ‘sheds’- I measured the ‘sheds’ each one averages about 100 meters long. The amount of suffering going on there on that ‘farm’ is astounding to me. Thousands upon thousands of tortured souls.
Might does not make right. If someone, either human, or non-human, has the ability to feel pain, and suffer – to cause that someone to suffer – is absolutely 100% wrong. To take away that someone’s freedom to enjoy his or her life – is 100% wrong. In their ability to feel pain, and suffer, these mink are 100% equal to us.
The NS government is doing the right thing in changing the laws to ban tethering of pet dogs for longer than 12 hours. Unfortunately if you are a mink or a fox, confined for life in a cage, the new laws won’t help you at all, because people make money from your suffering. No one much is speaking out for them. Are mink, and foxes not cute or furry enough ? They sure look cute and furry to me.
‘There is no fundamental difference between man and the higher animals in their mental faculties.… The lower animals, like man, manifestly feel pleasure and pain, happiness, and misery.’
—Charles Darwin, naturalist and author (1809–1882)
‘What is it that should trace the insuperable line?… The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?’
—Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832)
Supporting Entrepreneurial Success is one of the best articles to date. Hit it spot on. government is there to support industry grown from the root. Small business employs far more people per dollar than big business. They keep wages competitive and keep the locals planted and involved. All countries are facing challenges and the ones that innovate from small ideas will grow exponentially. There will be failures and thats part of the moving forward. Keep the momentum growing this way.
it is not so much a question of what we can do as Nova Scotians but rather what we WILL do that is the determining factor. Collectively we seem to have had, or have now developed, a pessimistic ,negative and/or suspicious. outlook and that is perhaps out biggest drawback.The old adage that ” if you think you are beat you are and if you think you are lost you are” seems to have taken a strong foothold. Therefore, it is attitude that must be improved as the initial step on our way forward and from that point onward we can continue on developing our potential which is really unlimited.
Great article . People need to see these kinds of numbers more often and with good graphics to make sure they get it .
We are not promoting our own products and we are out there helping the small businesses enough .
How do find Nova Scotia products in any store ? Look at the ads for Efficiency NS as opposed to ads for NS Products. Do our tourist bureaus have any catalogues or samples ? NO !! Look at tourism ;they are thinking now of adding a province wide tourism tax without any business case that shows how the few such municipal tourism taxes have worked .
I suppose that in an attempt to be fair to all parties that the legislature, in todays ever needing to consult, and lacking any useful justice department, went to a stock arbitrator. Perhaps now, its back to the legislature – who should realize that they represent the real majority in this issue.
gordon a.... | February 27, 2015 |
This just in – Fur Industry News from Europe. The price for a mink pelt is down about 60%.
Danish furriers expect nearly 60% drop in pelt prices 06/19/2014
http://furbearerdefenders.com/blog/danish-furriers-expect-nearly-60-drop-in-pelt-prices
The golden age of fur farming is coming to an end in Denmark, and we can expect similar results in Canada.
According to Danish newspaper Politiken, http://politiken.dk/oekonomi/virksomheder/ECE2317223/skraekprognose-minkavlere-faar-hverken-raad-til-renter-eller-smoer-paa-broedet/ mink furs harvested in the European nation – the largest producer of mink fur – hit a high of 622 Danish Krone per pelt ($122.87 CAD). But with a dwindling Asian market and overproduction on the farms, experts believe the price will drop nearly 60 per cent – as low as 270 Krone per pelt ($53.43 CAD).
A consultant said [translated by Google] of the price drops “there will be no money to pay the interest on the loan or the bread and butter for mink farmers.”
As Canada’s fur farms sell to the very same markets as the world-leading Danes, we can expect a sharp decline in value – and that will mean, hopefully, fewer mink kept in tiny cages and killed each year.
Ty Savoy | June 21, 2014 |
Hello Ty. Yes, the farmers here are suffering as well. Most resource industries are cyclical so we would be unwise to rely too heavily on any one of them.
BTW I asked the department of environment about complaints about mink farming. The last one was more than a year ago and the farm in question was definitely not the source of the problem. It had ben closed for some time.
Bill
Bill | June 21, 2014 |
Mr Black, One thing you don’t mention, is the cyclical nature of the mink ‘farming’ business in Nova Scotia. After this past warm winter in China, where the bulk of the dead mink skin and fur market is, the price per pelt is down to about $60-$70,from last year’s record high price of about $100 per pelt. 20 years ago it was $20-$30 a pelt. It could go back to that low.
Here in Canada, most people would be quite embarrassed to be seen wearing a fur, or a fur trimmed coat. They realize that ‘farming’ mink involves putting a wild animal into a tiny cage, where they spend their entire life. When they’re taken out, and dropped into a box full of carbon monoxide, Their needless suffering now ended with their unnecessary death. The cultural differences concerning animals between Canada and China are large. China also has a large dog and cat fur farm industry. Most Canadians find that repugnant. A Chinese dog fur farmer would wonder why, when we do the same thing to foxes and mink. In China, Dog and cat fur are made into coats, and trim on gloves, purses, etc, like the fur from mink are. There are no labeling requirements on fur garments imported to Canada. You may well be getting a dog or cat fur trimmed coat in your local big box store, made in China.
It is bad advice for this province to rely on an industry as cyclical as fur ‘farming’. Consumer whim could knock out those 1000 jobs here in NS in the space of a year or 2. Another reason we shouldn’t be relying on this sick industry, is public opinion, which in the end will decide to end this ‘industry’. This is a democracy after all. Dollars don’t decide everything. Just the other day, there was a court ruling in The Netherlands,
(http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/a…,
A setback for the 10 year phase-out of fur farms that was passed in 2012 there. The ban passed there did not include a sufficient plan to compensate the ‘farmers’. It’s a big business in The Netherlands. The government there is appealing. Because they represent the peoples’ will.
A map showing the countries in Europe to have banned fur farms:
http://www.dzivniekubriviba.lv…
Other countries that have banned the abhorrently cruel business of fur farming – England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland (around 2000), Austria (2004), Switzerland (Severely restricted amounting to a ban), Croatia(2007), Bosnia and Herezegovena (2009), Slovenia, (2013 – 95% of Slovenian MPs voted for a ban), Italy, (2008, defacto ban), Bulgaria has also banned them, as have several states in Germany. There was a free vote last year in Finland, 70,000 people wanted a ban. There are popular movements in Denmark, and Ireland for a ban on fur farming.
When most objective people have a look past the dollars earned from cruelly raising and killing the mink for their pelt, when they see a living breathing, thinking, high-metabolism, beautiful animal – living trapped in a tiny cage, deprived of the life his or her nature dictates – when they see it with their own eyes, most people say no. I don’t want to be a part of this sick thing. The only reason fur farming continues in Nova Scotia is most people are not aware of the size, and nature of the cruelty involved in this ‘business’.
Here’s a map I made, showing the fur farms in Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland (Fox, and Mink fur farms):
https://www.google.com/maps/@4…
One of the largest can be seen if you zoom in, Willowdale Farms, near Berwick. I count 109 mink ‘sheds’- I measured the ‘sheds’ each one averages about 100 meters long. The amount of suffering going on there on that ‘farm’ is astounding to me. Thousands upon thousands of tortured souls.
Might does not make right. If someone, either human, or non-human, has the ability to feel pain, and suffer – to cause that someone to suffer – is absolutely 100% wrong. To take away that someone’s freedom to enjoy his or her life – is 100% wrong. In their ability to feel pain, and suffer, these mink are 100% equal to us.
The NS government is doing the right thing in changing the laws to ban tethering of pet dogs for longer than 12 hours. Unfortunately if you are a mink or a fox, confined for life in a cage, the new laws won’t help you at all, because people make money from your suffering. No one much is speaking out for them. Are mink, and foxes not cute or furry enough ? They sure look cute and furry to me.
More Info on Fur Farming in Canada:
http://furbearerdefenders.com/…
‘There is no fundamental difference between man and the higher animals in their mental faculties.… The lower animals, like man, manifestly feel pleasure and pain, happiness, and misery.’
—Charles Darwin, naturalist and author (1809–1882)
‘What is it that should trace the insuperable line?… The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?’
—Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832)
Ty Sacoy | May 23, 2014 |
Supporting Entrepreneurial Success is one of the best articles to date. Hit it spot on. government is there to support industry grown from the root. Small business employs far more people per dollar than big business. They keep wages competitive and keep the locals planted and involved. All countries are facing challenges and the ones that innovate from small ideas will grow exponentially. There will be failures and thats part of the moving forward. Keep the momentum growing this way.
David | May 23, 2014 |
it is not so much a question of what we can do as Nova Scotians but rather what we WILL do that is the determining factor. Collectively we seem to have had, or have now developed, a pessimistic ,negative and/or suspicious. outlook and that is perhaps out biggest drawback.The old adage that ” if you think you are beat you are and if you think you are lost you are” seems to have taken a strong foothold. Therefore, it is attitude that must be improved as the initial step on our way forward and from that point onward we can continue on developing our potential which is really unlimited.
bob mackenzie | May 23, 2014 |
Great article . People need to see these kinds of numbers more often and with good graphics to make sure they get it .
We are not promoting our own products and we are out there helping the small businesses enough .
How do find Nova Scotia products in any store ? Look at the ads for Efficiency NS as opposed to ads for NS Products. Do our tourist bureaus have any catalogues or samples ? NO !! Look at tourism ;they are thinking now of adding a province wide tourism tax without any business case that shows how the few such municipal tourism taxes have worked .
PS | May 23, 2014 |