Mink Farming: The Global Welfare and Biosecurity Record

Mink farming has come under increasing scrutiny for both welfare and biosecurity reasons. COVID-19 outbreaks on mink farms reinforced welfare concerns about intensive confinement.

Key Facts

Approximately 20 million mink are farmed annually for fur, predominantly in China, Denmark, and Poland
Mink are semi-aquatic carnivores with large natural territories requiring access to water for behavioral needs
Stereotypic behaviors including repetitive pacing and self-mutilation affect large proportions of farmed mink
COVID-19 spread rapidly through mink farms in 2020, leading to mass culls in Denmark
More than 20 countries have banned mink farming; Denmark, the world's largest producer, announced a ban in 2023

Welfare Considerations

Mink farming causes welfare harms that are well-documented and reflect the fundamental mismatch between mink natural history and intensive cage production. Mink are energetic, semi-aquatic predators that in the wild range over several kilometers and are highly motivated to swim. Standard mink cages provide no swimming access and minimal space. The result is among the highest rates of stereotypic behavior of any intensively farmed species — repetitive pacing, circling, and self-mutilation affecting the majority of farm mink. The COVID-19 outbreaks on mink farms, requiring mass culls of tens of millions of animals, reinforced welfare concerns about the industry. The trend toward mink farming bans accelerated significantly following the pandemic.

What You Can Do

Avoid purchasing fur products or clothing with real fur trim or lining
Support campaigns for mink farming bans in countries where the practice continues
Advocate for alternatives to fur in the fashion industry
Donate to organizations monitoring conditions on mink farms and campaigning for bans