Minister of Environment bans the import and breeding of American minks

An order of the Minister of Environment and Water (MoEW), Borislav Sandov, bans the import and breeding of American mink (Neovison vison) on the territory of Bulgaria.

On June 1, Minister Sandov signed the order on the basis of the Biodiversity Act. This decision aims to reduce the total number of specimens of the American mink species in order to limit the risk of release of minks in the wild and to reduce the direct threat to biodiversity in Bulgaria.

"The ban on breeding and importing mink in Bulgaria is already a fact. Following the public consultation and the advice on all the comments received, I have signed the final banning order. These animals are an invasive species for Bulgaria, causing serious damage to local ecosystems," said Minister Borislav Sandov.

He recalled that the conditions in the only farm in the country are unfavourable and are the reason why in the recent years escaped mink have been entering wilderness areas and causing damage.

Due to its strong negative impact on biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as on the economy in Europe, the species has been included by scientists as number 19 in the list of the 100 most dangerous invasive alien species in Europe, as well as the priority invasive alien species for Bulgaria.

Over the past 20 years, bans on the harvesting of valuable animal skins, including American mink, have been introduced in the EU in a number of countries - the UK, Austria, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Italy, France, Slovakia, Hungary, Luxembourg and Belgium.

The farming of mink and animals for precious furs is also banned in Germany, Sweden and Switzerland, where the requirements for breeding conditions, housing, welfare, etc. are so high that there is no economic efficiency from these farms.

Outside the EU, a ban on keeping animals for their valuable furs has been introduced in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Israel, New Zealand, parts of the USA and Canada, etc.

The order will enter into force after promulgation in the State Gazette. Additionally, it will be published on the website of the MoEW.

The American mink is a predatory species with a natural range in North America. Because of its valuable fur, it has been artificially farmed and consequently introduced (intentionally or accidentally) into many countries around the world where it has subsequently established populations in the wild. The species, in addition to being a very aggressive predator, is also a highly adaptable competitor with negative impacts on native bird, rodent, amphibian and aquatic (fish, crayfish) species, and causes serious damage to the poultry and fish industries.

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