The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continued worldwide in 2021, and health experts were aware that the virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) could be transmitted between humans and mink. In light of this, Denmark had controversially ordered the killing of 17 million mink out of concern that mutations to the virus posed a risk to the effectiveness of any future COVID-19 vaccines. In early 2021, mink farmers across multiple countries were left wondering whether a mass cull was likely to also take place in their countries. In Canada, for example, mink farmers affiliated with the Canada Mink Breeders Association wondered if it was necessary to do the same in Canada. Was there another way? Or was culling mink the only way to protect the health of human populations?

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continued worldwide in 2021, and health experts were aware that the virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) could be transmitted between humans and mink. In light of this, Denmark had controversially ordered the killing of 17 million mink out of concern that mutations to the virus posed a risk to the effectiveness of any future COVID-19 vaccines. In early 2021, mink farmers across multiple countries were left wondering whether a mass cull was likely to also take place in their countries. In Canada, for example, mink farmers affiliated with the Canada Mink Breeders Association wondered if it was necessary to do the same in Canada. Was there another way? Or was culling mink the only way to protect the health of human populations?