Botulism blamed for Finnish fox poisoning
Date: 11-Oct-02
Country: FINLAND
Foul play has still not been ruled out in the case of tainted feed which has killed foxes at dozens of farms in the Western region of Ostrobothnia, the heart of the Finnish fur farming industry.
"Now we only know what kind of poison there was," said Gustav Smulter, managing director of the Finnish Fur Breeders Association. "Sabotage is not ruled out until we know how it came into the feed," he added.
Smulter expected further tests to show by next week how the feed, provided by a local producer, had become tainted.
Authorities this week estimated the number of dead or dying foxes at between 50,000 and 60,000, almost triple an initial estimate as more foxes paralysed by the disease were put down.
Officials at the Fur Breeders' Association have said the poisoning will cost the industry around five million euros ($4.96 million). But they have also said they do not expect the incident to have a significant effect on pelt prices.
Finland, which produced some 1.7 million fox pelts last year, is the world's leading fox fur producer and a leading mink producer. Most of the pelts are exported.
Animal rights activists have repeatedly targeted the industry, releasing foxes and minks in late-night raids, saying it is cruel to keep them caged.
In neighbouring Norway, another major fur producer, an outbreak of botulism in 1995 killed about 150,000 mink, more than half the country's annual production.