H.R. 2185: Mink: Vectors for Infection Risk in the United States Act

This bill, known as the Mink: Vectors for Infection Risk in the United States Act, aims to address public health and human safety by prohibiting the farming of mink for their fur in the United States. Below are the main components of the bill:

Prohibition on Mink Farming

Starting one year after the bill is enacted, no fur farms will be allowed to farm mink. This is intended to prevent potential health risks associated with mink farming.

Mink Termination Requirements

Any mink that need to be terminated must be done humanely, following specific guidelines set by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). This requirement begins 90 days after the bill is enacted.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Fur farms that do not cease operations as required will face civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each day they are non-compliant.
• Those who fail to terminate mink in accordance with the humane methods outlined will also incur civil penalties of up to $10,000 per mink.

Compensation for Fur Farmers

The bill establishes a program that will provide monetary compensation to mink farmers who are forced to stop their operations. This program must be set up within 180 days after the bill is enacted.

Payment Structure

Compensation will cover:

• The reasonable costs incurred for complying with the cessation of mink farming.
• The market value of the mink farming portion of their business, excluding land.

Market Value Determination

The market value will be assessed based on what a willing seller and buyer would agree upon in a competitive market, reflecting the economic value of the farm at the time of the assessment.

Conditions for Receiving Payments

Farmers receiving payments must adhere to certain conditions:

• Payments cannot be used for any activities related to operating a fur farm.
• Recipients must grant a permanent easement that prohibits future fur farming on the property.

Funding for the Compensation Program

A total of $100 million will be allocated to fund this compensation program, which must be transferred within 60 days of the law's enactment.

Definitions

The bill outlines specific definitions relevant to its provisions, including what constitutes a fur farm, mink, and fur-bearing animals.

Budgetary Effects

The bill's budgetary impacts will not be included on certain financial scorecards used to track the effects of legislation related to budgetary management.

Relevant Companies

• ELAN - A company involved in animal husbandry that may need to adjust operations or find alternative markets if mink farming is prohibited.
• OTEL - Similar to ELAN, this company may also feel the impact of regulations affecting the fur market.