LONDON — This week the world’s largest mink producer, Denmark, captured worldwide attention for its decision to cull 15 million animals across the country’s fur farms due to fears of a COVID-19 mutation spreading to humans and jeopardizing the development of future vaccines.
That’s a major blow to the international fur trade, which has already been experiencing decreased demand since the COVID-19 outbreak, with auctions forced to go online for the first time in history. It could also be the final blow for this highly divisive business, which has long been a target of animal rights and environmental activists.
The British Fur Trade added the Danes have had a history of world-class fur farming and are willing to preserve the trade. “The Danish government fully supports farming and will be compensating the farmers who have seen their livelihoods wiped out overnight. Animal welfare and assurance schemes in Denmark are the gold standard for animal husbandry,” the organization said in a statement.
Magnus Ljung, ceo of the Finnish auction house Saga Furs, said he doesn’t stand with the decision to cull such big numbers when the majority of minks are healthy, but this could be an opportunity to raise awareness about the livelihoods that the fur trade supports.
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