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Mink Farming and Covid-19
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Reference: IVEY-W26104-E
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Year: 2021
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Number of pages: 11
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Geographic Setting: Canada; China; Denmark; United States
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Publication Date: Oct 21, 2021
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Source: Ivey Business School (Canada)
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Type of Document: Case
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Industry Setting: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Description
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continued worldwide in 2021, and health experts were aware that the virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) could be transmitted between humans and mink. In light of this, Denmark had controversially ordered the killing of 17 million mink out of concern that mutations to the virus posed a risk to the effectiveness of any future COVID-19 vaccines. In early 2021, mink farmers across multiple countries were left wondering whether a mass cull was likely to also take place in their countries. In Canada, for example, mink farmers affiliated with the Canada Mink Breeders Association wondered if it was necessary to do the same in Canada. Was there another way? Or was culling mink the only way to protect the health of human populations?
Learning Objective
This case is intended for use in multiple disciplines. Within business schools, it could be used in courses on healthcare management, business and society, and strategic management. While health challenges are at the interface of animals and humans, such issues directly impact the economy, employment, and corporate strategy. The case is also relevant to master of public health, medical, veterinary, and healthcare-related academic programs. An emphasis should be placed on the critical need to use a “one health” approach to address complex health challenges at the people–animal–environment interface, with key stakeholders beyond the medical and veterinary fields-including private business (mink farming community), government institutions and decision makers (politicians), communicators (media sources), the global fur industry, and scientists-playing a key role in tackling this particular challenge.
After working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to understand the following:
After working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to understand the following:
- Zoonoses (infectious diseases that have jumped to humans from a non-human animal) and the implications of such diseases for businesses, employment, and the economy.
- The One Health approach to dealing with complex health issues.
- The value of stakeholder analysis.