MINK FARMS
[TO the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—It is a great pity that some of your readers who express their opinions in Your columni do not first of all take the trouble to ascertain the facts. I refer to the remarks of Mr. G. John in your issue of January 10th. He asserts that becaue fur farms are privately owned they are not subject to examination. This Association covers the interests of all the fur farmers, excluding silver foxes and rabbits, mid part of the Constitution is that members agree to the inspection of their farms if and when required. Further, the Ministry of Agri- cillture reserves the right to inspect all nutria farms.
Brutality is the last thing one may expect to find on a fur farrin in Great Britain. - I Wonder whether Mr. John would entertain feelingS of this kind after having paid £20 to £30 for a pair of mink for instance ? Again, a pair of tongs is the only instrument by which foxes can be caught, and the use of them inflicts no harm whatsoever on the animal. Foxes cost any- thing up to £120 a pair and the pelt is worth anything up to £35 to £40. Brutality of the kind mentioned would necessarily entail damage to the pelt of any animal, in which case it would be a poor business man indeed who would sacrifice his selling values for such a purpose.
I suggest that Mr. John should visit a few farms, when he would find that greater care is taken over the welfare of fur bearers than is sometimes the case with human beings, even in these enlightened days.—Yours faithfully;
PERCY E. MILLER, Secretary.
British Fur Breeders' Aisociation, 83-85 FaiTingdon Street, London, E.G.. 4.
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