Countries banning mink farming face welfare challenges during the transition period as farms wind down and animals require humane management through to closure.
Banning mink farming is a welfare improvement at system level, but the transition period creates its own welfare challenges. Farms continuing to operate while legislation phases in must maintain standards that prevent deterioration as economic incentives reduce. Animals on farms approaching closure require the same standard of care as those in ongoing operations. Mass culling events — as occurred in Denmark during the COVID-19 crisis — create acute welfare harms that require expert, rapid implementation to minimise suffering. The welfare trajectory of post-ban transition is determined by implementation quality: clear timelines, inspection resources, and support for farms transitioning to alternative enterprises all determine whether bans improve or temporarily worsen welfare outcomes.