On 23 October, the Danish government confirmed it would not seek an exemption from European Union restrictions on mink farming. Five days later, Minister for Nature and Animal Welfare Christian Rabjerg Madsen said he wanted to pursue a national ban on fast-growing chickens, potentially followed by similar restrictions across the EU.
Denmark’s remaining mink farms to close by 2029
Once one of the world’s leading producers of mink fur, Denmark is preparing to bring an end to an industry that has undergone major changes in recent years.
The move follows the European Union’s decision in 2025 to add American mink (Neogale vison) to its list of invasive alien species of Union concern. The designation reflects the ecological risks posed by mink that escape into the wild, where they can prey on native wildlife and threaten biodiversity.
EU restrictions on keeping and breeding mink will apply from 7 August 2027, with existing farms given a two-year transition period ending on 7 August 2029.
Denmark had previously planned to seek special permission to continue production, but the government has decided against applying for an exemption. According to the Danish Ministry for Nature and Animal Welfare, only seven mink farms remained in the country as of August 2026.
The industry was severely disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2020, Danish authorities ordered the culling of farmed mink after coronavirus mutations raised concerns about transmission between animals and humans. Farming was subsequently suspended, although limited production resumed in 2023.
Animal welfare has also influenced the government’s position. In July 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a scientific assessment of welfare conditions in animals farmed for fur, including mink. The Danish ministry said addressing the welfare problems identified would require substantial changes to existing production practices.
The decision has also prompted questions in the Danish Parliament about its consequences for remaining mink producers. An opposition lawmaker has sought clarification on possible compensation for farmers who resumed production after the pandemic, following the previous government’s plans to seek an exemption.
Fast-growing chickens face growing political pressure
Meanwhile, Denmark’s poultry industry has come under scrutiny following an investigation by Danish broadcaster TV 2.
Using hidden-camera footage from a farm in northern Jutland, TV 2 reported that chickens were receiving only three hours of darkness each day, despite regulations requiring at least six. The apparent breach raised concerns about farming conditions, as longer periods of lighting can encourage feeding and faster weight gain while reducing opportunities for rest.
The investigation also drew attention to chickens bred for rapid growth. Commercial breeds such as Ross 308 can reach around two kilograms in approximately 33 days, a growth rate that can place considerable strain on their legs and increase the risk of mobility problems.
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration also recognises the welfare benefits of slower growth. Its animal welfare labelling scheme requires chicken breeds to grow at least 25% more slowly than conventional breeds.
Responding to the investigation on 28 October, Rabjerg Madsen said he wanted to work towards a national ban on fast-growing chickens. However, the legal and economic implications would need to be examined before restrictions could be introduced.
Several Danish political parties have expressed support for a ban, marking a shift since May 2024, when parliament rejected a comparable proposal by 83 votes to 18.
Animal welfare organisation Dyrenes Beskyttelse has welcomed calls for restrictions but argues that banning fast-growing breeds would be only a first step. It is also calling for more space, outdoor access and longer lifespans for chickens raised for meat.
Jeppe Mouritsen, chairman of the poultry division of the Danish Agriculture and Food Council, has argued that individual incidents should not be taken as representative of the wider industry. He also warned that a national ban could shift production abroad unless similar standards applied to imported chicken.
No national ban on fast-growing chickens has yet been adopted.
Although the two developments concern different sectors, both involve questions about how animals are kept in commercial production. Denmark’s mink phase-out follows EU biodiversity legislation, alongside national animal welfare considerations, while the proposed poultry restrictions focus more directly on the consequences of intensive breeding.
The remaining mink farms are scheduled to close under EU rules by August 2029, while the future of fast-growing chicken production remains subject to political and regulatory decisions in Denmark.
Article Sources:
Press Release/Material by Danish Ministry for Nature and Animal Welfare; Dyrenes Beskyttelse
Featured image credit: Composite image by Muser Press using a poultry photograph by Magda Ehlers / Pexels and a mink photograph by Dzīvnieku brīvība | Flickr | CC BY 2.0
