The Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (11 November) called on the Welsh Government to consider testing the nation’s wild mink population, following recent revelations from the North of Europe. 

In a Written Question, Mrs Finch-Saunders asked:  

Will the First Minister consider testing wild mink populations in Wales so to establish if the mink-variant of Covid-19 is present?  

Reports from Denmark suggest that a mutated form of Coronavirus has spread among farmed mink animals. According to the Wildlife Trusts, the American mink is now well established in the UK, having escaped or been intentionally freed from fur farms in the 1960s.  

Commenting, Janet said:  

“Following recent concerning reports from Denmark, as well as several other European countries, I have submitted an urgent written question to the First Minister to ask that the Welsh Government supports a scientific testing study to establish if the mink-variant of Covid-19 is present in Wales. 

“I am grateful to recent actions from the UK Government to clamp down on any possible cases from Denmark reaching the UK, with the introduction of  immediate travel restrictions and recent return visitors required to isolate. I know there is some concern amongst rural Welsh residents about this mutation, following news reports over the weekend.  

“Wild American minks are now well established in the UK and have altered the biodiversity of many waterways. It is thought that mink, like their relatives, ferrets, are susceptible to respiratory viruses. Therefore, we require a full scientific picture to reassure rural residents and so to protect the integrity of the Welsh eco-system.” 

ENDS 

Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS