Soon, mink farming in Denmark will finally be a thing of the past.

The government has decided that Denmark will not, after all, apply for a special arrangement that could make it possible to continue mink farming at home despite an EU ban. In doing so, the government is putting a definitive end to mink farming in Denmark.

“It ends definitively now, and we in the Socialist People’s Party think that is good, because it has never been good animal welfare to confine a predator in a tiny cage,” says Carl Valentin (SF), the party’s animal welfare spokesperson.

Two years ago, mink were added to the EU’s list of invasive species. This means that breeding and production of mink will be banned across the EU next summer, albeit with a transition period until 2029.

They have been made fools of

The former SVM government voted against the EU regulation in 2025 that banned mink farming. Afterward, the government decided to apply for the special arrangement in the EU, so that Danish mink farmers could continue production despite the ban.

The news hits hard for the Denmark Democrats, who would have liked to see the mink farmers continue.

“They have been made fools of,” says Kim Edberg Andersen (DD), the party’s animal welfare spokesperson.

“I think it’s a shame, because I think the government gave the impression that they had the mink farmers’ backs, but apparently they did not,” he says.

Venstre’s political spokesperson, Sophie Løhde (V), by contrast, calls the government’s decision natural.

“Even under the SVM government, it was clear that it would almost certainly not be possible to obtain an exemption. However, we did not get to make a decision to stop the application process before the election was called. But in that light, it is a natural decision the government has made,” she says.

Kim Edberg Andersen hopes the government will ensure that the last Danish mink farmers receive full compensation quickly.

“We have an industry that was shut down like a thief in the night, so from a fairness perspective, it would probably have been fair to look kindly on those who wanted to continue,” he says.

Compensation on the way

After more than 1,000 mink farmers had to cull their mink in 2020 due to the risk of spreading the coronavirus, only seven mink businesses remain in Denmark with just over 15,000 mink.

They must now close, and according to Carl Valentin, the Ministry of Nature and Animal Welfare will now examine what specific compensation each business can receive.

“For some, it will probably be a case of expropriation, and then they will receive compensation,” he says.

That, in turn, is good news for the Denmark Democrats.

“If anyone deserves to receive their full and complete compensation at lightning speed, it is them,” says Kim Edberg Andersen.

DR has attempted to get a comment from the industry association Danish Mink, but they have not responded to our inquiry.

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