Last curtain for Danish mink as federal government bans breeding

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – Denmark on Monday agreed on a non permanent ban on mink breeding, leaving minor hope to rebuild the market, which pioneered the world fur trade.

Fearing an escalation of the coronavirus epidemic in the Nordic region, exacerbated by the discovery of a mutated virus pressure, the Danish governing administration requested all mink culled in early November, despite lacking part of the lawful basis to do so.

The move by lawmakers retroactively results in the authorized basis for its get to cull all mink in the state in November.

Most likely to be a single of the previous farmers in Denmark with mink on his farm, Erik Vammen in the beginning defied the government’s calls for a nationwide cull, but now faces no other option than to set down his remaining 5,000 virus-absolutely free mink.

“I will comply with the regulation, as I’ve normally done”, Vammen explained to Reuters, introducing that he’ll wait right until the last moment to cull his mink.

“I’m preserving my head superior.” The 62-calendar year previous farmer reported it is most likely he’ll select up mink breeding once more when the momentary ban subsides in 2022.

The new legislation, which bans mink breeding by Jan. 15, also outlines some payment for farmers, but lawmakers have still to finalize specific actions.

The government’s purchase has effectively obliterated Denmark’s mink industry, recognised for its major-high quality mink pelts, with most farmers and business voices declaring the sector will never ever get better.

Authorities later on admitted that the buy to cull healthy mink herds experienced lacked a authorized foundation.

The move hurled the authorities into a political storm, as plummeting general public belief coincided with resignation calls and a vote of no self-assurance by opposition events, culminating in the exit of the agriculture minister.

Parliament has also made a decision to instigate a probe into the government’s dealing with of the mink disaster, such as the steps of Primary Minister Mette Frederiksen.