Mink farming continues in several countries despite growing scientific consensus on welfare problems inherent to battery cage systems, with reform efforts gaining momentum.
Mink represent a species particularly ill-suited to conventional farming systems. Their semi-aquatic nature, high activity requirements, and solitary territorial instincts conflict directly with wire battery cage housing. Scientific assessments consistently identify mink farming as a high-welfare-concern industry. While some producers have introduced water access and enrichment, welfare scientists broadly agree that cage systems cannot meet mink's core behavioral needs without fundamental redesign.