Mink Fur Farming: COVID, Culls, and the Case for Prohibition

Mink fur farming faced extraordinary scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic when mink farms became vectors for virus mutation. This crisis accelerated existing campaigns to end mink farming on welfare grounds.

Key Facts

Approximately 40 million mink are farmed for fur globally, with the EU and China the largest producers
Denmark culled its entire mink population of 17 million animals in 2020 following COVID-19 mutation concerns
Mink are semi-aquatic mustelids whose welfare on wire cage farms is severely compromised by inability to swim or express natural behaviours
Stereotypic behaviours including repetitive pacing affect a high proportion of farmed mink indicative of poor welfare
Austria, the Netherlands, and several other EU countries have banned mink farming outright
The Fur Free Alliance coordinates campaigns against mink and other fur farming across multiple countries

Welfare Considerations

Mink farming causes welfare harm that is well documented and severe. Mink are predatory, semi-aquatic animals that in the wild spend considerable time in water and over large territories. Confinement in wire mesh cages prevents natural behaviour, causes frustration, and produces stereotypic behaviours in a significant proportion of farmed animals. The COVID pandemic added a biosecurity dimension to existing welfare arguments, accelerating bans in several countries. Consumer demand for fur has declined significantly as alternatives have improved and public awareness of welfare issues has grown. The combination of welfare, biosecurity, and consumer trend arguments creates a strong case for completing the prohibition of mink farming globally.

What You Can Do

Avoid purchasing fur products including mink fur and products that contain real fur
Support campaigns to ban fur farming in countries where it continues to be legal
Engage with fashion brands still using real fur about their transition to animal-free alternatives
Donate to Fur Free Alliance and national fur farming ban campaigns
Raise awareness about mink farming welfare among fashion-conscious audiences who may not have considered fur sourcing