The Chief Veterinary Officer within my Department recently received a communication from the Chief Medical Officer setting out the view and concern of the Department of Health relating to the identification of mutations of SARS-CoV-2 in the mink population in Europe. The demonstration of one strain which appeared in laboratory tests to exhibit decreased susceptibility to antibodies from previously infected people and the concern that this variant, if spread, might be less easily be controlled by vaccines currently under development. The conclusion from the Department of Health was that the continued farming of mink represents a potential significant and ongoing risk to public health and recommended that farmed mink in Ireland should be culled in the interest of public health in Ireland.
Officials in my Department continue to engage with the farmers concerned, the Department of Health and the Office of the Attorney General to consider the next steps. In the meantime, the farms continue to operate subject to strict biosecurity protocols and animal welfare standards.