The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has written to mink farms in Ireland to provide information on SARS-CoV-2 infection in mink and to advise on the precautions that should be taken to prevent their mink being exposed to the virus. This advice includes strict adherence to the HSE public health guidelines on COVID 19.
It is most important to recognise that COVID-19 is predominantly a disease of humans. It is our understanding that the Department of Health is not aware of any human cases of COVID-19 associated on mink farms.The experience to date during the global pandemic is that while certain animal species, including dogs, cats, ferrets and mink, are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 virus, the number of positive cases in animals worldwide remains very low. DAFM has composed a Frequently Asked Questions document for animal owners in line with current public health advice which is available to view at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/customerservice/coronaviruscovid-19/faqsregardingcovid-19foranimalowners/.
The Programme for Government 2020 contains a clear commitment regarding the prohibition of fur farming and Department officials are currently preparing the appropriate draft heads of a Bill to facilitate the achievement of this objective with a view to seeking Government authority at an early date.