Aleutian Disease Test Commitment Reaffirmed

AGRICULTURE/MARKETING-Aleutian Disease Test Commitment Reaffirmed

Wayne Gaudet, acting Minister of Agriculture and Marketing, today reaffirmed the department's commitment to ensure all samples being tested for the deadly Aleutian disease will continue to be processed in a timely manner and at no charge to the province's mink farmers.

Aleutian disease is specific to mink and affects their reproduction and the quality of the herd. It is a non-treatable disease with no known vaccine. The disease can be easily transmitted among mink and could have wide-ranging effects on the entire provincial mink industry.

"Our goal is to eradicate the disease completely in the province; that's why we have been providing voluntary testing at no charge," said the department's deputy minister, Alan Steel. "Mink farmers are doing their part by voluntarily having their animals tested. I want to reassure them that, even though our lab has been working at full capacity to meet the testing demands, I have reallocated funds from our current budget to ensure we have the resources to continue to test all samples in a timely manner without passing on any costs to them."

The increased demand for testing is due to a growth in the province's mink industry, not an increase in the occurrence of the disease. The number of pelts produced in the province rose to 450,000 in 1998 from 350,000 the year before. Testing is done on more animals to ensure the health and quality of the herd is maintained. From 1997 to 1998, the number of tests conducted increased by 40,000, to 288,000.

"Mink is a growth sector for the industry and is an economic pillar for our rural communities, particularly in Digby County," said Mr. Gaudet. "I want mink producers and the people who rely on the mink industry for their livelihood to know that we are committed to supporting the continued growth of the mink sector. Making it easy for producers to test their animals is one way we can do that."

Since the 1970s, the department and the mink industry have been working to eradicate the disease through the Aleutian Disease Program, which encourages producers to submit blood samples to the department's pathology lab three times a year. Diseased animals are culled from the ranch population.

The 450,000 pelts produced in Nova Scotia in 1998 represents 47 per cent of Canada's total mink production. In 1997, the mink industry contributed $14 million to the provincial economy.

"I am pleased to be able to make today's announcement on behalf of my colleague, Minister Ed Lorraine," said Mr. Gaudet. "The government values the mink industry and wants to see it grow to its full potential and contribute even more to Nova Scotia."