In brief
Denmark has decided to stop mink farming by August 2029, following a government U‑turn after the EU listed mink as an invasive species. The country, once the world’s top mink fur producer, faced a massive cull during the pandemic and declining global demand. The new ban will take effect 7 August 2027 with a two‑year phase‑out period. Officials say the move prioritises animal welfare and society, while the industry faces the closure of its seven remaining farms and a cost that could reach 14 million DKK. The decision arrives just as fur fashion shifts toward faux‑fur and high‑profile brands reconsider their stance.
Denmark will end mink farming by August 2029 after a government U‑turn that follows an EU ban on the practice for invasive species.
The country was once the world’s largest mink fur producer, but global bans and a COVID‑19 outbreak forced a cull of about 15 million animals.
The ban takes effect 7 August 2027, with a two‑year transition period to phase out the remaining farms.
Nature Minister Christian Rabjerg Madsen said the decision was driven by animal welfare, adding that an industry must make sense for society, the economy and the animals.
When the EU added mink to its list of invasive species in 2025, Denmark sought an exemption. The new coalition government reversed that request, and Social Democrat MP Brigitte Vind praised the move as good news for animals.
The country now has only seven active mink farms facing closure. A spokesperson estimates the cost at roughly 14 million DKK (about 1.56 million pounds), though the final amount could be higher.
With fur fashion experiencing a comeback thanks to celebrities and vintage styles, the decision impacts brands that once avoided fur and could influence the shift toward faux‑fur alternatives.
Only about 15,000 mink remain in Denmark after the pandemic cull, a dramatic drop from the industry’s former peak.
