COPENHAGEN According to Reuters, the Danish Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mogens Jensen, announced today that he has decided to resign in connection with the regulation to unload all breeding minks in the country, because a coronavirus mutation has occurred in some of these animals. The regulation was against the law. The Prime Minister of this Nordic country also faces calls to resign.
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“I informed the Prime Minister on Wednesday that I wish to resign from my position in the government. I am aware that I do not have enough support from parliamentary parties, “Jensen wrote on Twitter.
In early November, Denmark announced that it would kill its entire mink population of up to 17 million animals. They developed a coronavirus mutation that has been transmitted to humans and is less sensitive to antibodies. This could reduce the effectiveness of future vaccines.
The Danish government began unloading infected animals in October, but later admitted that the ordered destruction of healthy animals had no basis in law. “I’m sorry … and I take full responsibility for this move,” Jensen told the Danish broadcaster DR.
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On Tuesday, the Danish government said it had won majority support in parliament to legalize its plan to dismantle all minks. However, the whole case has already tarnished the reputation of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s cabinet, which was praised for its ability to manage the coronavirus crisis with strict quarantine measures. While more than 75 percent of the population trusted the government in July, by mid-November, support was just over 50 percent, Reuters reported.
The Prime Minister also faces opposition calls for resignation. Frederiksen publicly apologized for the controversial measures and accused the Ministry of Agriculture of making a mistake. According to a report on the investigation of the matter, according to Reuters, the decision to expel all minks was taken collectively by all important ministers. The results of a government-commissioned investigation released today further show that prior to Frederiksen’s televised announcement of the mink release on November 4, her office was alerted to legal issues with the closure of mink farms.
According to the AP, Denmark is the largest supplier of mink fur in the world, accounting for 40 percent of global production. Most exports go to China and Hong Kong. About 6,000 people work on 1,139 mink farms in Denmark. According to breeders, the regulation concerning the discharge of minks will mean the end of this industry in the country.
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