Mink on the South Shore

NS: Land use committee raises stink over mink farm
By Greg Bennett, Transcontinental Media

Source: The Coast Guard, December 2, 2010

[CLYDE RIVER, NS] — A controversial mink ranch in Clyde River is again on the radar of the Municipality of Barrington in the wake of a recent presentation.

Lee Keating, a spokesperson for the Clyde River Land Use Committee, told council that despite monitoring and inspections by the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment, the mink facility operated by Maranatha Fur Farms Ltd. continues to be a major irritant to many citizens of Clyde River, noting that residents in the area of Brown’s Pit Road were particularly affected.

Keating told council that residents in the area have complained about odors from the mink farm, describing them as so noxious that homeowners at that vicinity are unable to enjoy their property, hang laundry, or open their windows.

After much discussion, and one defeated motion, three motions were made and accepted; including that letters be written to the Minister of Environment, the Minister of Agriculture and the Premier, requesting them to appear before council to explain why Maranatha Fur Farms Ltd. was instructed to install a lagoon system to deal with waste, a system they believe does not work, and to explain their plan to correct the problem.

A motion, pending legal advice, to provide Clyde River Land Use Committee $287.50 to cover an application for its complaint to the Farm Practices Board, was also approved.

An earlier motion by councillor Shaun Hatfield that the Municipality of Barrington file the complaint directly to the board was voted down.

After the meeting Hatfield expressed his frustration with the decision.

“It seems like a strange way for us to lead, resisting an acquisition of knowledge and a clear determination by the Farm Practices Board with which to help the farm, the citizens and the municipality all move forward on this issue,” he said.