The world’s largest producer of mink fur will cull all its mink after scientists discovered a mutation of coronavirus that could render any future vaccine against the virus useless.

A Danish government statement said the mutation of the virus has shown reduced sensitivity to antibodies, and could migrate to humans.

The Danish authorities expressed fears that this development presents a risk that a future vaccine will not have an effect on the mutated form of the virus.

Denmark produces 28% of the world’s mink fur.

All mink in the country will be culled, including breeding animals. The government said that it will be a “serious decision” for the country’s mink farmers.

The efforts to cull mink in Denmark will be partially carried out by the police and armed forces, together with the country’s veterinary and food administration. Mink breeders who carry out their own culling will be compensated for doing so.

30-day pre-movement TB testing

In other animal health related news, Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has plans to implement mandatory TB testing for cattle 30 days before they move out of herds with a high risk of TB.

The department’s draft ‘Ten Year Roadmap to Reduce bTB and Drive Towards Eradication 2020-2030’ outlines that herds which have a history of several breakdowns, or of a large extended breakdown, are at a higher risk of recurrence of another TB outbreak after they go clear, and also present a higher risk to neighbouring herds.

The document includes a measure that would include a requirement that cattle moving out of these herds would be tested within 30 days before movement in order to address the risk of undetected infection spreading to the recipient herd.