Denmark to End Mink Farming by 2029 in Animal Welfare U-Turn

Denmark has decided to end mink farming by August 2029 after reversing its earlier plan to seek an exemption from an EU-wide ban on keeping the animals. The government’s decision follows the European Union’s 2025 move to classify mink as an invasive species, restricting their breeding and ownership. Danish Nature Minister Christian Rabjerg Madsen said the government had prioritised animal welfare, stressing that long-standing industries must also serve society, the economy and animals.

Denmark was once the world’s largest producer of mink fur, but the industry has declined amid international restrictions, falling demand and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the Danish government ordered the culling of approximately 15 million mink after a mutated coronavirus strain was detected among the animals. Authorities later acknowledged that the cull lacked a legal basis. Denmark now has around 15,000 mink remaining across seven farms, and the government is expected to introduce a two-year transition period to phase out the industry.

The decision has been welcomed by animal welfare advocates and members of the governing coalition, who consider it an important step towards protecting animals. However, the financial implications of closing the remaining farms have yet to be finalised. An earlier estimate put the potential cost at around 14 million Danish kroner, although the final figure could be higher. The move also reflects continuing international debate over the use of animal fur in the fashion industry.

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