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The Dutch parliament has announced all mink fur farms in The Netherlands will permanently close by March next year, following a series of coronavirus outbreaks.
The country originally planned to phase mink farms out by 2024 but has fast-tracked the closure after 41 covid-19 farm infections.
In a statement sent to Plant Based News, senior director of public affairs for Humane Society International/Europe Dr. Joanna Swabe commended the government on its decision, which it says ends a ‘completely unnecessary industry and protects citizens’.
‘Virus reservoirs’
“With 41 fur farms and an estimated two million mink now having been infected, the risk of keeping these virus reservoirs operating, is far too great,” Dr. Swabe said.
“Without this early termination of fur farming, up to 13.5 million more animals would be forced to suffer short and miserable lives solely to supply the fickle fashion industry.
“It is a sick industry both literally and figuratively. There has never been a more compelling time for the Netherlands to shut down this industry for good.”
The announcement will not require mink on the 120 remaining fur farms to be preventatively culled unless new infections occur.
Mink on unaffected farms will be slaughtered for their pelts in November this year – but breeders are not permitted to restock.
