As many as 17 million minks are to be culled in Denmark after a mutated version of the coronavirus that can spread to humans was detected on mink farms.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the mutated virus posed a "risk to the effectiveness" of a future Covid-19 vaccine.
Denmark is the world's biggest producer of mink fur. Police said the culling should happen as soon as possible.
Coronavirus cases have been detected in mink farms in Denmark's northern Jutland region, and in other parts of Europe, for several months.
But cases are spreading fast in Denmark, and five cases of the new virus strain were found on mink farms. Twelve people had become infected, the authorities said.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54818615
Those poor animals and their fate either way.
Surely a priority should be to stop outbound travel from Denmark until this is under control? 12 confirmed infected who have been quarantined, but there could be many more unconfirmed cases. No point culling all mink if the mutated virus is going to do the rounds around the world.