(AFP Photo)AMSTERDAM: Dutch mink farms have begun a government-ordered cull amid concern that animals infected with the coronavirus could transmit the illness to humans. Infected minks have been found on 10 Dutch farms where the ferret-like animals are bred for their fur, according to the country’s Food & Wares Authority. The government ordered the cull of 10,000 minks on Wednesday after determining that the affected farms could become a long-term reservoir of disease. Groups opposed to the fur trade say the outbreak is another reason to close all fur farms. Federation spokesman Wim Verhagen said the cull was “very hard for farmers to accept” as few infected animals show visible signs of sickness.

Source: Bangkok Post June 06, 2020 13:41 UTC