Livestock

Farmed Mink Welfare and the Case for Phase-Out

Mink farming for fur involves keeping highly active, semi-aquatic predators in small wire cages, causing serious and well-documented welfare problems.

Key Facts

Global mink production was around 60 million pelts annually before COVID-19 culls
Mink are semi-aquatic solitary predators with large home ranges in the wild
Farmed mink are kept in small wire mesh cages without water for swimming
Stereotypic behaviours are observed in over 80% of farmed mink populations
Several EU countries including the Netherlands and Denmark have banned mink farming

Welfare Considerations

Mink in wire cages cannot express core natural behaviours including swimming, predatory activity, and territorial exploration. Stereotypic pacing and circling are nearly universal in cage-housed mink, indicating chronic frustration and poor welfare. The fur industry has been unable to demonstrate that mink welfare can be adequately provided in commercial cage systems.

What You Can Do

Avoid purchasing fur products from mink or other farmed species
Support legislation banning fur farming in your country
Advocate for EU-wide fur farming ban
Choose faux fur alternatives where fur trim is desired
Support organisations campaigning for fur farming abolition