Debate: There is a lack of political courage and will to close down mink farming in Denmark
Written by: Valentina Crast
Note: This is a discussion post expressing the writer's own views.
The Danish caged mink is the most vivid and painful proof of our politicians' lack of will, courage and ability to care for our land, society and wildlife.
Denmark's roots in traditional and industrial agriculture prevent the parliament from being politically active and ensuring the necessary green transition. A transition that all politicians seem to be very keen on; but the resurgence of mink farming is the definitive proof that it is just playing to the gallery.
Consistent for politicians, but not for animals
You don't have to look far to find an elected official who will happily state that they are against fur farming, but political action behind the words is nowhere to be found. It has become free to express one's support for a ban on fur production in Denmark and, at the same time, to let it stand without any consequences. In other words, it is of no consequence to the politicians; certainly not to the animals, public health or our tax dollars. Even with obvious arguments to close an already marginalised and dying industry, our politicians are not able to take the step towards a permanent closure; and this is at a time when the mink cages have already been empty for 2 years and Copenhagen Fur has decided to turn the key. At the same time as Covid is found in mink herds in Italy, Danish politicians are giving the green light for the import of new mink to the last stubborn Danish mink farmers, so that animal cruelty can continue and the risk of future Corona mutations in the herds can be kept alive. There are now less than 100 traders in Denmark who lock up fur animals in small wire cages and then strip them of their fur to make skins for foolishly expensive and fragile coats and hair ornaments for abroad. 19 mink breeders and 39 chinchilla breeders. Less than 25 of these people have fur farming as a primary occupation. For the majority of registered breeders, fur farming is "just" a hobby.
This means that we have just now chosen to resume and protect a production that systematically and fundamentally tortures animals, pollutes nature and threatens our public health, because our politicians do not dare to take a stand against the right of 25 people to engage in unethical and harmful activities.
"Less than 25 of these people have fur farming as their primary occupation. For the majority of registered breeders, fur farming is 'just' a hobby."
A glance at a map of Europe showing the countries that have banned and phased out fur farming shows Denmark as what we have become: a country that exploits and tortures animals in every possible way for economic gain and refuses to change while the rest of the world empties cages and makes new laws. Denmark seems to share values with both Russia and China when it comes to animal welfare. It hurts to come to that realisation.
Now is an obvious time to shut down fur farming
We have reached the point where our public health is threatened and the reaction is a panicked mass murder of 17 million mink, resulting in a mad "apology" to the breeders costing the taxpayer 19 billion and then an invitation from Christiansborg to start it all up again. It sounds like the script of the most absurd Monty Python movie. It should not be on our politicians' CVs under "recent projects". The anger of the mink breeders at the government's handling of the infection among the caged mink and the subsequent fraud by some with culls and compensation money may also justifiably cause real concern that among the surviving stubborn breeders there will also be a few who will do what suits them in everyday life and ignore the guidelines that have been laid down. This accusation may seem harsh, but 2 of the 19 currently registered mink farmers are currently charged with defrauding the authorities and illegally caging both foxes and mink during the Corona crisis. We continue to see outbreaks of COVID on mink farms in Europe and there is nothing to suggest that we will not face COVID outbreaks in Danish herds again in the future.
The threat of zoonoses in agriculture is constantly hanging over us and testifies to an urgent need for radical change in our relationship with animals, but agriculture is focused on their bottom line and politicians are more concerned with their short-term popularity, so the necessary plan for how to treat animals in Denmark and at the same time secure citizens against pandemics created in animal production is still waiting.
There has never been a more natural and obvious time to shut down Danish fur farming. So why isn't it now that Parliament is taking the step to implement it? If Parliament cannot even agree to close a dying industry that causes so much damage, how can we trust it to take care of larger industries that are in every way far more entangled in our economy and employment? It has become difficult for many to trust our rulers and the consequence of this is increasingly expressed in the exercise of civil disobedience particularly among young activists.
"There has never been a more natural and obvious time to shut down Danish fur farming"
When animal rights activists block trucks to slaughterhouses, when the Extinction Rebellion blocks roads, when the Climate Movement fills the streets in large protests, they do so because their level of ambition, will, ethics and courage exceeds those of elected officials, who instead of leading our society towards even the most obvious improvements remain paralysed and contribute to the problems rather than the solutions. There has long been a need to confront our exploitation of animals and the many derivative consequences it has. Unfortunately, the arrival of the mink shows that we are not yet ready for change unless it is wrapped in promises of profit and growth adventure - and paradoxically, current and future crises require us to start prioritising something else entirely.
On February 25, 2023, Dyrenes Alliance goes to the gods to stop fur farming. We want the fur industry shut down once and for all, so the minks, chinchillas and rabbits can have their freedom back. If you want the same, join us on the streets to demand justice for animals on February 25.