Farm Animals

Farmed Mink Welfare and Phase-Out Progress

Mink farming causes severe welfare suffering through confinement in wire cages that prevent natural behaviours, and countries are progressively banning the practice.

Key Facts

Mink are semi-aquatic carnivores with territories of several square kilometres in the wild
Wire cage confinement causes repetitive stereotypies in the majority of farmed mink
As of 2024, 17 European countries have banned or are phasing out mink fur farming
COVID-19 outbreaks in mink farms accelerated phase-out decisions in the Netherlands and Denmark
Mink welfare science consistently shows that cage farming cannot meet their basic behavioural needs

Welfare Considerations

Mink farming is incompatible with the welfare needs of this species. The phase-out across Europe reflects a scientific consensus that mink cannot have acceptable welfare in wire cage systems.

What You Can Do

Avoid purchasing real fur products, which are difficult to distinguish from faux fur
Support campaigns for a UK ban on mink fur farming
Choose faux fur or fur-free fashion brands committed to animal welfare