Fears of mutated strain of virus: Denmark kills 15 million mink
Coronavirus mutated.
Denmark: Full incinerators, minks buried in mass graves
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18 November 2020The "mink crisis" has led the Danish Minister of Agriculture to resign.
Criticized for handling the situation that arose following the discovery of a mutation of the novel coronavirus in mink, Mogens Jensen acknowledged that mistakes were made and left office.
"I think I no longer have the necessary support from the parties present in parliament. I have to submit my resignation," the minister announced on TV.
"It is clear that mistakes have been made in my ministry and I take responsibility for them," he added.
On November 4, Denmark had ordered the culling of all farmed mink in the country - between 15 and 17 million animals - in light of the discovery of a mutation of the new coronavirus transmissible from humans to mammals, a circumstance that, according to the Danish government, it could compromise the effectiveness of the future anti-Covid vaccine.
Some farmers have protested against the order to kill healthy animals as well and it emerged that in Denmark there is no legal basis for the government to order a mass elimination of animals, if not sick ones.
To adjust the game, a bill was then presented to prevent mink farms until 2022 but these measures have not convinced the parties that support the minority government.
For the leader of the liberal opposition, Jakob Elleman-Jensen, "this is only the beginning", asking "to examine the issue thoroughly to assess the responsibilities of the prime minister".