The Fur-Bearers are applauding an initiative from the BC government that can assist Fraser Valley-area agricultural workers transition from fur farming into the greenhouse sector.
In a news release issued this morning (April 20, 2022), the government noted that as many as 30 individuals will receive skills training through a new Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) project. The program targets those whose employment was impacted by the flooding in the Fraser Valley in the fall, though Minister of Agriculture and Food Lana Popham’s statement notes fur farm workers will be able to apply.
“From vegetables and flowers to trees and shrubs, local greenhouse growers produce many of the vibrant plants enjoyed by people, pollinators and animals in our province,” Minister Popham said in the release. “I’m excited to welcome program participants, including those transitioning from fur farming, into their new careers in the greenhouse sector and wish them success in their new careers in agriculture.”
The Fur-Bearers are supportive of new programs that aid workers out of the fur farm industry and into those benefit society and can help meet climate targets.
“Supporting workers leaving the fur industry, and providing retraining toward sustainable and essential agricultural programs is a necessary and considerate policy for not just British Columbia, but jurisdictions across Canada,” says Lesley Fox, Executive Director of The Fur-Bearers. “We applaud Minister Popham and Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Nicholas Simons for this program.”
Numerous outbreaks of the SARS-CoV-2 virus were tracked across BC mink fur farms through the pandemic, leading to a phase-out of mink farming was begun by the BC government in November 2021. This is facing a legal challenge. Read more updates about fur farming in British Columbia in this article.
