June 25, 2013 - 19:06 — Timothy Gillespie
"Fur is green" called self-serving campaign
A group citizens in Yarmouth and Digby County are fed up with what they consider the "greenwashing" of the true environmental costs of industrial strength mink ranching which seems to be exploding in their neighbourhoods.
A group citizens in Yarmouth and Digby County are fed up with what they consider the "greenwashing" of the true environmental costs of industrial strength mink ranching which seems to be exploding in their neighbourhoods.
Retired agrologist Gerald Comeau decided that the issues of mink farming relating to pollution were being hidden behind an industry campaign suggesting that "fur is green". Within a weeks time, after consulting with friends and neighbors, he made an online petition available to the public through the activist web site, Avaaz.
On the petition site, Comeau decries the Fur Council of Canada's "self-serving campaign" on the slogan “fur is green”, which he says "enriches wealthy fur interests."
"We oppose the slogan and we hope you do too," says the petition web page. The true nature of fur in the 21st century is far from “green” and the use of this self-serving slogan “fur is green” has to end now, the site says.
Signatures are sought for the petition and 35 of the goal of 100 has been reached.
The "carbon footprint" score for mink fur is abysmal, says the site and adds that, in a carbon tax economy the mink fur industry would be literally taxed to death.
"That would mean 50 million fewer wild animals held in wire cages."
Comeau is originally from Clare and came back to live in Meteghan four years ago. Through the years, he heard little about mink and says he never gave it much thought, although he knew that mink farming was an ongoing occupation in the area.
On his return, his indifference to mink began to change. As he became better informed, he told SCT via email, he realized that serious controversy exists here "in regards to the status quo in the mink fur industry."
"The rapid expansion and the industrial scale of the mink industry under lax government regulations set off alarm bells in my head. It is a recipe for disaster, and indeed severe water contamination with cyanobacteria (commonly called blue green algal bloom) had already manifested itself by the time I got here."
Comeau is also concerned with the virus causing aleutian disease in mink. The disease is not only of concern within the mink farms, he says, but in wild fur animals in the wilderness.
In emails supporting the petition, local citizens claim that 50,000,000 mink are killed annually worldwide, and 2,000,000 of them are killed in Nova Scotia every year. "Our lakes and rivers are green with Cyanobacteria from the manure run off," says one email. "The only thing that is "green" about this industry are our polluted lakes."
"Until recently, I was on the outside looking in," he said. "I was eager enough to get involved, however could not identify a useful role for myself. That all changed on the day I got the idea for "fur is green" is greenwash. I have come out of my comfort zone, and am now ready for the battles that lie ahead."
Comeau says that the Petition illustrates to local citizens the fact that mink problems exist not only on the ground but up the marketing chain as well. "People will hopefully begin to realize that there are after all weak points in the mink fur industry." He says perhaps the prevailing mood of apathy towards mink s will give way to a feeling of empowerment and motivate people to change the status quo.
The petition is spreading the word about mink pollution "through the grapevine", Comeau says. "It is the only way. Tiny steps today, giant steps tomorrow."
See the petition here:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/To_Abolish_The_Fur_Council_of_Canadas_Slogan_fur_is_green/?eXwTqdb
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Comments
Thank you Mr Comeau for stepping out of your comfort zone and fighting for your right to clean water. You live in the centre of the mink industry and the pollution they create. I agree 100% there is absolutely nothing green about this Industry. (Besides the green lakes they pollute that is!)
The manure, carcasses, chemicals, antibiotics, disease, destroyed lakes, poisoned water, is what the people who live here get, and all the $$$$ is what the owners get and they deny all responsibility . The NDP should hang their heads in shame that they are "allowing" this to happen to one of the most beautiful areas in NS. In fact they are encouraging this industry at every opportunity. There is no way in hell the amount of manure produced can be handled at this time, and yet the licenses are still being handed out to produce more pollution. I have signed your petition and encourage everyone else to do the same.
Thank you Mr. Comeau for bringing forward yet another discusting aspect of the mink industry. "The Look That Kills." To try and paint a picture of the inhumane raising and sadistic bloody massacre of these poor little animals is commendable. Mr. H.is trying to paint a picture of fashion icons parading around proudly wearing this fur is unconscionable. Ofcourse he only see's the $'s. Fur clothing is not a necessity for human survial. The pollution to our environment caused by this industry will be irreparable before long and a good chance people will die from the pollution or working in the mink so they say. Next you will be setting up cat, dog, & horse farms for their skin. It does already exist in other countries. Is this Canada's next multi million$ blood industry. Mr. H who is doing the greenwashing should be shackled in a mink pen and watch the pelting.
Money doesn't buy compasion or brains just greed and arrrogance.
Poor little innocent animals. Congratulations to the countries who have banned this industry.
I will gladly sign this petition.
I would gladly contribute to the online campaign to get people like Mr H to see the perspective of the animal in the cage.
How many days and nights sitting alone in the cage would it take for even a culturally-biased, self-interested person like Mr H to feel what these mink feel ? Appox 2 million of them right now suffering in these cages in Nova Scotia, for the price on their heads of $100 a pelt. From their eyes, an 'Eternal Treblinka'. There's a nice saying "Pity looks and turns away, Compassion sees and is here to stay."
It is not good business to make money from the suffering of others. Animals are others. Being in the middle of this temporary sickness we call Capitalism is at the heart of the disease of not caring. Democracy trumps Capitalism. When enough people become aware of the suffering imposed upon animals like these mink, it will be ended.
Inside a mink farm in Denmark:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=McraAK6wR7E&list=PL19mWyEHRQRi4IoIaW-QFLEmabfRQkQz4
TV 2 shows in the evening program "coat inside out" in the documentary "Operation X," where conditions for mink in a number of Danish mink farms is revealed - among other shows filming sick and dead animals in cages on mink farms.