Mink farming presents welfare problems inherent to keeping an obligate predator in cages; bans eliminate this but transition management determines welfare during wind-down.
Mink are semi-aquatic, highly active predators whose natural behavioural repertoire — swimming, hunting, exploring large territories — cannot be accommodated in the cage-based systems standard in mink farming. Stereotypic weaving, a sign of chronic stress and frustrated motivation, is widespread in farmed mink populations. The welfare case for mink farming bans is therefore based on inherent incompatibility between the species natural needs and any economically viable cage-based production system. Post-ban transition welfare — ensuring that animals on farms continuing to operate during phase-out periods receive maintained standards — is the remaining challenge. The Danish COVID-19 mass culling demonstrated the catastrophic welfare consequences of emergency decisions that override welfare considerations in crisis management. Transition programmes that support alternative enterprise development for affected farmers are an important component of welfare-positive ban implementation.