Denmark Abruptly Halts Mink Farming Plans, Enforces Complete Ban by 2029

Mink farming will cease in Denmark by August 2029, as the government abandon efforts to secure an exemption from an EU-wide prohibition on the practice.

Denmark was previously the world’s largest mink fur producer, but the sector has faced mounting pressure from international fur trade restrictions and a prior outbreak of a coronavirus variant among the country’s mink herds.

The ban will take effect on 7 August next year, followed by a two-year phase-out period for existing operations.

Danish Nature Minister Christian Rabjerg Madsen emphasized the government’s commitment to animal welfare.

“A business should not continue merely because it has existed for a long time. It must also align with societal values, economic sense, and animal welfare,” he stated.

Initially, the Danish government had pursued an exemption for its mink industry when the EU classified the species as invasive in 2025, restricting their keeping. However, the current coalition administration—elected in June 2026—reversed course and declined to proceed with the application.

Social Democrat MP Brigitte Vind hailed the move as “a good day for animal welfare.”

“It is absolutely the right decision not to seek a special permit for mink breeding in Denmark,” she affirmed.

The Danish Mink Association, representing breeders, has been contacted for comment.

Denmark remains among the few European nations still producing mink fur, a common material in garment manufacturing. However, output has trailed behind producers like Poland and China in recent years.

The industry endured a major blow during the coronavirus pandemic when authorities ordered mass culling of mink after detecting a mutated strain of the virus in the animals. Around 15 million were euthanized—a cull later deemed legally baseless by the government.

Fewer than 15,000 mink now remain in Denmark.

No cost estimates have been finalized for phasing out the country’s seven remaining mink farms, though a coalition party animal welfare spokesperson earlier projected expenses of roughly 14 million Danish krone (£1.56 million), with potential increases possible.

The ethics of fur usage continues to polarize fashion communities, with numerous outlets and designers distancing themselves from real fur in prior years. Last year, however, renewed interest emerged as public figures embraced both vintage pieces and synthetic alternatives.

Source link