The fur industry has sunk into a new crisis with the news that Danish mink breeders have turned their backs on the cruel fur industry. The farmers were forced to cull their animals over fears a Covid-19 mutation could pose a risk to human health. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (FVST) confirmed that only 13 breeders had applied for the compensation that would allow them to potentially continue breeding mink in 2023. Another 1,246 breeders applied for the compensation to end their mink farming.

In November 2020, Denmark, at that point the world’s largest mink producer, confirmed plans to cull approximately 15 million animals due to fears a Covid-19 mutation moving from mink to humans could jeopardise future vaccines.

The Danish government temporarily banned mink farming and the breeding of the animals for their fur, later extending the ban until 2023.

Officials have now said just a handful of producers in the country have chosen to resume business if the ban lifts in 2023.

The (FVST) confirmed that only 13 breeders had applied for the compensation that would allow them to potentially continue breeding mink in 2023. Another 1,246 breeders applied for the compensation to end their mink farming.