Nord Europa bans mink farming in animal‑welfare overhaul

Governor Eva Novák signed a decree on Tuesday that will phase out all mink farming operations in Nord Europa over the next 18 months. The ban follows a regional animal‑welfare review that concluded intensive fur production is incompatible with the Republic’s environmental standards.

The decision directly impacts approximately 200 employees across five farms in the southern counties. The Regional Development Office will allocate up to 12 million ₣ in grants to support re‑tooling for biodegradable textile fibers, and the Ministry of Interior has pledged retraining programmes for affected workers. “We are turning a painful legacy into an opportunity for sustainable innovation,” the Governor said.