Exploring within-ecodistrict lake organic matter variability and identifying possible environmental contaminant biomarkers using sedimentomics.

Sedimentomics methods offer insight into the physiological parameters that influence freshwater sediment organic matter (sedOM). To date, most sedimentomics studies characterized variations across large spatial and environmental gradients; here we examine whether sedimentomics methods capture subtle sedOM variations within a relatively homogeneous study area in southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada. Additionally, we explore the lake sedimentome for candidate biomarkers related to ongoing carnivorous animal farming in the region. Sediment cores were recovered from seven lakes across a trophic (oligo- to eu- trophic) and anthropogenic land use gradient (carnivorous animal farming in catchment, downstream of farming, no farming nearby). Subsamples that dated prior to 1910 (pre-carnivorous animal farming) and later than 2010 (during carnivorous animal farming) were analyzed using UHPLC-HRMS in both negative (ESI-) and positive (ESI+) electrospray ionization modes. Cluster analysis (k-means) showed replicate samples from a given lake clustered distinctly from one another in both ESI modes, indicating sedOM captured subtle variations between lake systems. PCA combined with multiple linear regression indicated carnivorous animal farming and OM source explained most of the observed variation in lake sedOM. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) of ESI- and ESI+ data sets identified 103 unique candidate biomarkers. Ten strong candidate biomarkers were identified using graphical methods; more research is required for biomarker verification and molecular characterization. Our results indicate sedimentomics could be used in environmentally homogeneous areas, offering insight into the controls of sedOM cycling. Additionally, we identified prospective biomarkers related to carnivorous animal farming that could be used to understand relative contributions of farming to ongoing eutrophication issues in southwestern Nova Scotia.

Beliefs and Attitudes of British Residents about the Welfare of Fur-Farmed Species and the Import and Sale of Fur Products in the UK.

Around 100 million animals are killed annually for the global fur trade, with 85% reared on fur farms and 15% trapped in the wild. Fur farming is banned across the United Kingdom (UK) under the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act 2000 in England and Wales and parallel legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Despite the farming bans, the import and sale of fur products to the UK have continued, largely due to European Union (EU) membership. The UK left the EU in 2020 and the British government is exploring a potential ban on the import and sale of fur post-Brexit. This paper reviews public surveys on attitudes to fur farming in the UK from 1997 to 2021. It then reports the results of an online questionnaire to investigate in greater depth the beliefs of UK residents (n = 326) about the welfare of animals used in fur production, knowledge of the legal context of the fur trade and attitudes toward a ban on the import and sale of fur in the UK. A large majority (86%) of respondents believed that fur-farmed animals do not experience a good life. Over four-fifths (83%) disagreed that it is morally acceptable for the UK government to ban fur farming and yet continue to import and sell fur from producers overseas, with over three-quarters (78%) supporting a legal ban on the import and sale of fur in the UK.

Application of phosphorus loading models to understand drivers of eutrophication in a complex rural lake-watershed system.

Several lakes in southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada have experienced reoccurring algal blooms and possess concentrations of phosphorus (P) that are in the eutrophic to hypereutrophic range (>35 µg/L). In this study a mass balance modeling approach was used to evaluate the relative contribution of P sources within these watersheds and lakes. Primary sources of P included land runoff, septic systems, agricultural activities including mink fur farming, aquaculture, as well as internal loading. These sources were assessed for three different study years (1983, 2008, and 2017), based on availability of water quality data, and to quantify the relative impact of the mink farming industry as it rapidly expanded during this time period. A novel method to estimate P loads from intensive fur farming operations was developed, using agricultural census, remote sensing, and publicly available spatial data. A suite of simulations were generated, using a steady state mass balance model, to examine lake P concentrations and sources for baseline conditions (no anthropogenic sources), no mink farming, and varying levels of P retention on mink farms (25%, 50%, 75%) scenarios. An additional scenario was also constructed which involved calibrating mink farm P retention coefficients using available water quality data. In the baseline scenario it was predicted that all study lakes would be oligotrophic, indicating that cultural eutrophication of these lakes has occurred. In the no mink farming scenario, it was predicted that all study lakes would be oligotrophic except for Hourglass Lake, which was predicted to be mesotrophic due to inputs from an aquaculture facility. Internal loading of P from lake sediments was also identified as an important potential P loading mechanism, which will likely be exacerbated by climate change. These findings indicate that the P from mink farms is the primary driver of cultural eutrophication in the study lakes, and highlights the need to consider these nutrient sources within watershed management plans. It is recommended that lake remediation efforts continue to focus on reducing P inputs from mink farms, and on controlling P loading from any new anthropogenic development in these watersheds.

Brexit and Animal Welfare Impact Assessment: Analysis of the Opportunities Brexit Presents for Animal Protection in the UK, EU, and Internationally.

The British people voted in a 2016 referendum to leave the European Union (EU). Brexit presents threats and opportunities to animal protection in the United Kingdom (UK), the EU, and internationally. This paper discusses opportunities for animal protection in terms of five criteria. These are first, political context; second, regulatory changes; third, economic and trade factors; fourth, institutional- and capacity-related factors; and fifth, EU and international considerations. Brexit permits reform of UK agricultural policy outside of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to reward high welfare as a public good. The Agriculture Bill, however, does not suggest a radical reform agenda for animal welfare. Brexit permits a ban on live exports, but the UK Government is consulting on improving welfare, not prohibition. Brexit provides an opportunity to ban the import and sale of fur, but the UK Government has signalled it will work to improve welfare in fur farming. Brexit permits the UK to prohibit the import and sale of foie gras, but the Government has stated a ban may be challenged at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Brexit allows more stringent Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) requirements to reduce puppy smuggling. Lucy's Law and stricter enforcement will also mitigate the problem. New sentience legislation provides the opportunity for a fully independent and properly constituted UK Animal Welfare Advisory body conducting animal welfare impact assessments and ethical appraisal. The Government has proposed sentience legislation but there is a major risk it will not be in place before the UK leaves the EU. The Government has expanded the remit of the Farm Animal Welfare Committee, which is not fully independent and is dominated by veterinary members and agricultural interests. Brexit provides some opportunities for animal protection with radical reform of agricultural policy, prohibition of live exports, and banning the import and sale of fur and foie gras. Pre-Brexit, the Government has not demonstrated the political will and commitment to realise these opportunities.