Officials have found evidence of E.coli and enterococcal bacteria in waters of the Fäboda tributary near fur farms in Pietarsaari, western Finland. Because of the findings, health officials say they don’t recommend swimming in the popular recreational area. Yle’s A-Studio programme looked at the situation yesterday evening.
Yle’s A-Studio in-depth news programme found that apart from evidence of bacteria detected this year, officials also identified high levels of phosphorous and nitrogen in waterways close to fur farms in the Ostrobothnia region in 2012 and 2013.
Pietarsaari is home to one of the largest concentrations of fur farms in Finland, with some 100,000 foxes currently held in captivity. The effluent from many of these farms runs close to the Fäboda stream.
Jan-Erik Holmberg has had a cottage in the area since 1986. “Something’s rotten here! Even the officials have to admit that the water is filthy and that it stinks. One has to ask whether there is any kind of official oversight here,” Holmberg queried.
Since 1997 Holmberg has been involved in mapping the environmental impact of fur farming on the area. He pointed out that excrement from old fox houses has leaked directly into the earth, since the structures are not water tight. The animal pens essentially comprise long roofing systems that cover a series of cages. (more)
Read the whole story: http://yle.fi/uutiset/deadly_bacteria_found_in_waters_near_west_coast_fur_farms/7459467
Source: YLE