Mink farming has faced increasing scrutiny over severe welfare problems inherent to keeping a semi-aquatic mustelid species in small wire cages. Many countries have banned the practice entirely.
Mink farming represents a case where the fundamental biological requirements of a species are incompatible with the conditions of its commercial production. Mink evolved as wide-ranging, semi-aquatic predators; mink farms confine them to tiny wire cages without water for swimming, without space for territorial movement, and in social conditions that cause chronic stress and aggression. The welfare evidence is unambiguous and has driven progressive bans across Europe. The remaining question in countries where farming continues is whether incremental welfare improvement can achieve meaningful results, or whether the fundamental incompatibility requires the same solution - ending production entirely.