Mink Farming: Welfare in the Fur Trade

Mink farming involves keeping highly active, semi-aquatic predators in small wire cages. The welfare case against mink farming has contributed to bans across much of Europe.

Key Facts

Mink farming is banned in the UK, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and over a dozen other European countries
An estimated 50-60 million mink are farmed globally, primarily in Denmark, China, Poland, and the Netherlands
Standard mink cages are approximately 90x45 cm — far too small for an animal that swims and ranges widely in the wild
Stereotypic behaviour including circling, bar-biting, and repetitive swimming movements affects most caged mink
COVID-19 outbreaks on mink farms led to the culling of millions of animals in Denmark and the Netherlands
The Danish mink industry was controversially ordered to cull its entire population of 15-17 million mink in 2020

Welfare Considerations

Mink are semi-aquatic carnivores that in the wild swim, hunt, and patrol territories of several kilometres. Standard farm cages prevent all natural behaviour — mink cannot swim, hunt, or range. The resulting chronic frustration produces stereotypic behaviour in the vast majority of farmed mink, with research showing over 90% of farm mink exhibit repetitive behaviours indicating persistent negative welfare states. Wire floors cause paw injuries. Social isolation (mink are housed individually or in pairs) prevents natural social behaviour. COVID-19 culls — conducted by gassing millions of animals — occurred without time for humane killing infrastructure, resulting in welfare failures in some facilities.

What You Can Do

Avoid all real fur products — mink, fox, rabbit, and others from fur farms
Support campaigns for global mink farming bans, particularly in Denmark, China, and Poland where farms remain large-scale
Advocate for phase-out timelines with welfare support for farmers transitioning away from fur production
Learn about the fur-free movement and share information about welfare conditions in mink farming