Denmark Bans Fox Farming

Monday, June 01, 2009

54 members of the Danish parliament voted for the ban, 55 present voted neither for or against because despite supporting a ban they would have preferred a different phase out period. 

The phase out period is 15 years for those farmers who earn more than 50% of their income from fox farming and 8 years (2017) for those who earn less than 50% of their income this way.  This long phase out period means that no compensation will need to be paid to any farmers.

The bill was debated 3 times in parliament and the committee handling the bill met with countless deputations and asked 52 written questions of the minister.  One member of the committee was a former fox farmer who attempted to draw out the process for as long as possible but in the end was forced to vote in favour of the bill because of his party’s support for a ban.

This news is all the more remarkable for the fact that Denmark is the largest producer of mink fur in the world.  Although this legislation only bans the farming of foxes, a precedent has been set and it is now incumbent upon all other countries that allow fox farming to follow Denmark’s lead. 

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