23 OCTOBER 2026, COPENHAGEN – In a major victory for animals, this morning the Danish government announcement to shut down mink fur farms. Once the world’s largest producer of mink fur, Denmark will phase out the industry after the government confirmed today that it will not seek an exemption from EU rules restricting the breeding of American mink. The country’s seven remaining mink farms must close by 2029.

For decades, millions of mink suffered miserable lives on Danish fur farms  before being cruelly killed for their fur. Today’s victory follows 26 years of campaigning by Fur Free Alliance member Anima International, whose sustained efforts have helped make progress to end fur cruelty in Denmark.

The decision also marks a significant turning point for a country that was once at the heart of the global fur industry and one of only four EU member states to oppose calls for an EU-wide fur farming ban in 2023. 

With Poland banning all fur farming last year and Denmark shutting down its mink fur farms,  the case for EU-wide action has never been stronger. While the European Commission is still considering its response to the Fur Free Europe European Citizens’ Initiative, backed by more than 1.5 million signatures, Denmark’s move sends a clear message: the fur trade has no place in Europe.