Denmark to Ban Mink Farming by 2029 in Government Reversal
The Scandinavian nation will phase out the practice, reversing earlier plans to seek an exemption from an EU-wide ban.
Denmark will end mink farming by August 2029, the government announced, deciding not to pursue an exemption to an European Union ban on the practice. This decision marks a U-turn from earlier plans by the current coalition government, elected in June 2026, which had intended to seek an exemption when the EU adds mink to its list of invasive species in 2025.
Once the world's largest producer of mink pelts, Denmark's industry has seen a significant decline due to global bans on fur farming, a drop in the fur trade, and a severe outbreak of a COVID-19 strain in the nation's mink population during the pandemic. Approximately 15 million mink were culled in 2020 after a mutated strain of the virus was found in the animals, although the government later admitted it lacked a legal basis for the mass culling.
"A business should not continue just because it has existed for a long time. It should also make sense for society, for the economy and for the animals," stated Danish Nature Minister Christian Rabjerg Madsen, emphasizing the government's focus on animal welfare. Social Democrat MP Brigitte Vind echoed this sentiment, calling the decision "a good day for animal welfare" and "absolutely the right decision not to apply for a special scheme for mink breeding in Denmark."
The ban is set to take effect on August 7 of next year, followed by a two-year transition period to allow for the phasing out of the practice. Denmark is one of the few European countries still engaged in mink fur production, a common pelt used in garments. However, its output has been surpassed in recent years by countries such as Poland and China. Currently, about 15,000 mink remain in Denmark.
Costs associated with closing the seven remaining mink farms have not yet been determined, though local media reports suggest an animal welfare spokesperson for a governing coalition party estimated the figure to be around 14 million Danish kroner (approximately £1.56 million), with the final amount potentially being higher. The fur industry has been a contentious issue, with many fashion publications and brands ceasing to use or promote fur in recent years, although it has seen a resurgence in popularity among celebrities and fashion enthusiasts.