Question to the EC: Cases of SARS-CoV-2 on mink farms

See the joint question by Greens/EFA MEPs Francisco Guerreiro, Caroline Roose and Tilly Metz to the European Commission and its written answer on the cases of SARS-CoV-2 on mink farms.

Subject: Cases of SARS-CoV-2 on mink farms

Several mink farms have been infected with COVID-19. Scientific studies state that the American mink (Neovison vison) may be an intermediate host of CoVID-SARS-2. (1) Scientists have also found that mink has host cell surface proteins that function as receptors for SARS-CoV and are 87% similar to human receptors, meaning that mink could be a potential reservoir of SARS-CoV-type viruses. (2)

In 2004, several scientific studies conducted following the SARS-CoV-1 pandemic found raccoon dogs, palm civets and ferrets to be carriers of the virus. (3) A German virologist is currently recommending looking into raccoon dogs as a possible source of COVID-19. (4) 

1. Does the Commission agree that mink and raccoon dog farms may pose a risk to public health as carriers of zoonotic diseases, and that this should be investigated without delay? 

2. What is the Commission doing to assess the zoonotic risks associated with fur farms in the Member States? 

3. How does the Commission intend to mitigate the risks associated with this activity?

(1)       https://www.biorxiv.org/content/biorxiv/early/2020/01/24/20

(2)       https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-0-387-33012-9_90.pdf

(3)       https://doc.oie.int/dyn/portal/index.seam?page=alo&aloId=30359

(4)       https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/26/virologist-christian-drosten-germany-coronavirus-expert-interview

Answer in writing

The Commission together with the competent authorities of the Member States follow closely the COVID-19 situation, especially with those where farmed mink had been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Although isolated cases of infection in dogs, domestic and non-domestic cats and mink have been reported, there is at present no evidence suggesting that kept animals play a role in the epidemiology of the current COVID-19 pandemic(1), which is primarily driven by human transmission.

The Commission is also in close contact with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and monitors the relevant information on the zoonotic aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in all epidemiologically relevant species.

The Commission has the necessary empowerments and is, in case of transmissible animal diseases including zoonoses, ready to adopt emergency protective measures, including those restricting as much as necessary trade within and imports into the EU of live animals and their products.

(1)       https://ec.europa.eu/food/sites/food/files/animals/docs/ah_covid-19_qandas.pdf

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