Mink carcasses that were hastily buried after a mass culling sparked by fears about a mutated coronavirus strain are causing pollution, Denmark's Environmental Protection Agency has said.

The government agency, however, stressed that there was currently no risk of drinking water becoming contaminated.

"Substances from buried minks have been found under the mink graves... The first steps are now being taken to collect and clean up the pollution," the agency said in a statement on Friday.

Water from underneath the graves would be pumped up and sanitised, the agency said.

Denmark was the world's largest exporter of mink fur, but culled all 15 million of its mink population last year after some were found to be carrying a mutated virus variant, and later banned mink breeding until January 1, 2022.

Fearing pollution due to the decomposition of the dead animals' bodies in the areas where they had been hastily buried, the government decided in December to unearth the four million carcasses as soon as the risk of contagion had subsided and incinerate them instead.&nbsp;&nbsp;The two burial sites are located in the western part of the Nordic country of 5.8 million inhabitants.&nbsp;

In one, signs of pollution were detected in three of the 32 boreholes drilled and in one out of 26 on the other site. The main pollutants were ammonia and excess amounts of nitrogren.

In November, Denmark said the "Cluster 5" mutation carried by mink had been wiped out, and they were the only animal confirmed to be able to contract it and pass it to humans.

(with inputs from AFP)

Mink carcasses that were hastily buried after a mass culling sparked by fears about a mutated coronavirus strain are causing pollution, Denmark's Environmental Protection Agency has said.

Mink carcasses that were hastily buried after a mass culling sparked by fears about a mutated coronavirus strain are causing pollution, Denmark's Environmental Protection Agency has said. The government agency, however, stressed that there was currently no risk of drinking water becoming contaminated. "Substances from buried minks have been found under the mink graves... The first steps are now being taken to collect and clean up the pollution," the agency said in a statement on Friday. Water from underneath the graves would be pumped up and sanitised, the agency said. Denmark was the world's largest exporter of mink fur, but culled all 15 million of its mink population last year after some were found to be carrying a mutated virus variant, and later banned mink breeding until January 1, 2022. Fearing pollution due to the decomposition of the dead animals' bodies in the areas where they had been hastily buried, the government decided in December to unearth the four million carcasses as soon as the risk of contagion had subsided and incinerate them instead. The two burial sites are located in the western part of the Nordic country of 5.8 million inhabitants. In one, signs of pollution were detected in three of the 32 boreholes drilled and in one out of 26 on the other site. The main pollutants were ammonia and excess amounts of nitrogren. In November, Denmark said the "Cluster 5" mutation carried by mink had been wiped out, and they were the only animal confirmed to be able to contract it and pass it to humans. (with inputs from AFP)

Minks culled over coronavirus in Denmark said to be polluting environment

Denmark&nbsp;on Monday announced it will&nbsp;dig up millions of dead mink it culled to stamp out a potentially dangerous mutation of the virus that causes coronavirus, only to find that their rotting carcasses could cause a fresh contamination risk.

Officials ordered Denmark’s entire herd of approximately 15 million mink,&nbsp;which are farmed for their furs and prized in the high-end fashion industry, be destroyed in early November after a mutated form of the novel coronavirus was found to have been transmitted between the animals and humans.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mass-graves-for-mink-in-denmark-may-have-already-polluted-groundwater-report-348874">Mass graves for mink in Denmark may have already polluted groundwater: Report</a>

Workers will have to wait several months to make sure there is no risk of contracting Covid-19 from the animals before incinerating them, the government said, though officials say they are hopeful the decision will bring an end to the saga, which has rocked Denmark’s government and driven broader concerns about the safety of the global fur-farming industry.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Danish lawmakers passed a law to&nbsp;temporarily ban mink breeding, leaving little hope to rebuild the industry, which pioneered the global fur trade.

Fearing an escalation of the coronavirus epidemic in the Nordic country, exacerbated by the discovery of a mutated virus strain, the Danish government ordered all mink culled in early November, despite lacking part of the legal basis to do so.

The move by lawmakers retroactively creates the legal basis for its order to cull all mink in the country in November.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/back-from-dead-zombie-minks-rise-from-graves-to-exact-revenge-after-being-culled-345356">Back from dead? Zombie minks rise from graves to 'exact revenge' after being culled</a>

Likely to be one of the last farmers in&nbsp;Denmark&nbsp;with mink on his farm, Erik Vammen initially defied the government's calls for a nationwide cull, but now faces no other option than to put down his remaining 5,000 virus-free mink.

"I will comply with the law, as I've always done", Vammen said, adding that he'll wait until the last moment to cull his mink.

"I'm keeping my head high." The 62-year old farmer said it is likely he'll pick up mink breeding again when the temporary ban subsides in 2022.

The new law, which bans mink breeding by Jan. 15, also outlines some compensation for farmers, but lawmakers have yet to finalize exact measures.

The government's order has effectively obliterated&nbsp;Denmark's mink industry, known for its top-quality mink pelts, with most farmers and industry voices saying the industry will never recover.

Authorities later admitted that the order to cull healthy mink herds had lacked a legal basis.

The move hurled the government into a political storm, as plummeting public trust coincided with resignation calls and a vote of no confidence by opposition parties, culminating in the exit of the agriculture minister.

Parliament has also decided to instigate a probe into the government's handling of the mink crisis, including the actions of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Denmark on Monday announced it will dig up millions of dead mink it culled to stamp out a potentially dangerous mutation of the virus that causes coronavirus, only to find that their rotting carcasses could cause a fresh contamination risk.

Denmark on Monday announced it will dig up millions of dead mink it culled to stamp out a potentially dangerous mutation of the virus that causes coronavirus, only to find that their rotting carcasses could cause a fresh contamination risk. Officials ordered Denmark’s entire herd of approximately 15 million mink, which are farmed for their furs and prized in the high-end fashion industry, be destroyed in early November after a mutated form of the novel coronavirus was found to have been transmitted between the animals and humans. Also read| Mass graves for mink in Denmark may have already polluted groundwater: Report Workers will have to wait several months to make sure there is no risk of contracting Covid-19 from the animals before incinerating them, the government said, though officials say they are hopeful the decision will bring an end to the saga, which has rocked Denmark’s government and driven broader concerns about the safety of the global fur-farming industry. Meanwhile, Danish lawmakers passed a law to temporarily ban mink breeding, leaving little hope to rebuild the industry, which pioneered the global fur trade. Fearing an escalation of the coronavirus epidemic in the Nordic country, exacerbated by the discovery of a mutated virus strain, the Danish government ordered all mink culled in early November, despite lacking part of the legal basis to do so. The move by lawmakers retroactively creates the legal basis for its order to cull all mink in the country in November. Also read: Back from dead? Zombie minks rise from graves to 'exact revenge' after being culled Likely to be one of the last farmers in Denmark with mink on his farm, Erik Vammen initially defied the government's calls for a nationwide cull, but now faces no other option than to put down his remaining 5,000 virus-free mink. "I will comply with the law, as I've always done", Vammen said, adding that he'll wait until the last moment to cull his mink. "I'm keeping my head high." The 62-year old farmer said it is likely he'll pick up mink breeding again when the temporary ban subsides in 2022. The new law, which bans mink breeding by Jan. 15, also outlines some compensation for farmers, but lawmakers have yet to finalize exact measures. The government's order has effectively obliterated Denmark's mink industry, known for its top-quality mink pelts, with most farmers and industry voices saying the industry will never recover. Authorities later admitted that the order to cull healthy mink herds had lacked a legal basis. The move hurled the government into a political storm, as plummeting public trust coincided with resignation calls and a vote of no confidence by opposition parties, culminating in the exit of the agriculture minister. Parliament has also decided to instigate a probe into the government's handling of the mink crisis, including the actions of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Denmark to exhume millions of mink after botched coronavirus cull

Fluids from millions of buried mink may have polluted the groundwater in two places in Jutland in Denmark, as per a latest report.

The Danish government ordered a cull of some 17 million mink in early November after outbreaks of coronavirus hit hundreds of farms and authorities found mutated strains of the virus among people.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/denmark-to-dig-up-zombie-mink-that-resurfaced-from-mass-graves-345916">Denmark to dig up 'zombie mink' that resurfaced from mass graves</a>

The logistical challenge of disposing of such a large number of dead animals prompted authorities to bury some of the mink in pits in a military area in western Denmark under two metres of soil.

The government later said it wanted to dig up those mink again after some resurfaced from the mass graves, most likely due to gasses from the decomposition process pushing the mink out of the ground.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-covid-scare-denmark-shaken-by-mink-culling-342511/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The new study says groundwater in the area may already have become contaminated and urges authorities to take swift action, Radio4 reported.

The report was commissioned by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency in late November and was prepared by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland and the Technical University of Denmark, Radio4 said.

The agency is currently conducting additional examinations to assess the environmental impact of the graves, including geophysical probes and drillings. It said on Wednesday it expected the results of those early next year.

Before the interring of the dead mink, authorities had said the burials would not pose a risk to drinking water or protected areas.

The macabre burial sites, guarded 24 hours a day to keep people and animals away, have drawn complaints from area residents about possible health risks. Newspapers have referred to "zombie mink".

Fluids from millions of buried mink may have polluted the groundwater in two places in Jutland in Denmark, as per a latest report. The Danish government ordered a cull of some 17 million mink in early November after outbreaks of coronavirus hit hundreds of farms and authorities found mutated strains of the virus among people.

Fluids from millions of buried mink may have polluted the groundwater in two places in Jutland in Denmark, as per a latest report. The Danish government ordered a cull of some 17 million mink in early November after outbreaks of coronavirus hit hundreds of farms and authorities found mutated strains of the virus among people. Also read: Denmark to dig up 'zombie mink' that resurfaced from mass graves The logistical challenge of disposing of such a large number of dead animals prompted authorities to bury some of the mink in pits in a military area in western Denmark under two metres of soil. The government later said it wanted to dig up those mink again after some resurfaced from the mass graves, most likely due to gasses from the decomposition process pushing the mink out of the ground. The new study says groundwater in the area may already have become contaminated and urges authorities to take swift action, Radio4 reported. The report was commissioned by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency in late November and was prepared by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland and the Technical University of Denmark, Radio4 said. The agency is currently conducting additional examinations to assess the environmental impact of the graves, including geophysical probes and drillings. It said on Wednesday it expected the results of those early next year. Before the interring of the dead mink, authorities had said the burials would not pose a risk to drinking water or protected areas. The macabre burial sites, guarded 24 hours a day to keep people and animals away, have drawn complaints from area residents about possible health risks. Newspapers have referred to "zombie mink".

Mass graves for mink in Denmark may have already polluted groundwater: Report

Denmark's government said on Friday it wants to dig up mink that were culled to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, after some resurfaced from mass graves.

Denmark is facing a new horror, as cadavers of the culled minks have re-emerged from the earth, as per footage from local channels.

The macabre phenomenon was observed in a military training field outside the western town of Holstebro, where thousands of minks had been put into an improvised mass grave.&nbsp;Newspapers have referred to them as the "zombie mink".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/back-from-dead-zombie-minks-rise-from-graves-to-exact-revenge-after-being-culled-345356">Back from dead? Zombie minks rise from graves to 'exact revenge' after being culled</a>

Calling it a natural phenomenon, the local police said they ''got lifted by pressure from gases released by the decomposition.''

Denmark had ordered all farmed mink to be culled early this month after finding that 12 people had been infected by a mutated strain of the virus that causes COVID-19, which passed from humans to mink and back to humans.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-covid-scare-denmark-shaken-by-mink-culling-342511/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The decision led to 17 million animals being destroyed and to the resignation last week of Food and Agriculture Minister Morgens Jensen, after it was determined that the order was illegal.

Jensen's replacement, Rasmus Prehn, said on Friday he supported the idea of digging up the animals and incinerating them. He said he had asked the environmental protection agency look into whether it could be done, and parliament would be briefed on the issue on Monday.

The macabre burial sites, guarded 24 hours a day to keep people and animals away, have drawn complaints from area residents about possible health risks.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-largest-fur-auction-house-to-shut-down-following-mink-decimation-342962">World's largest fur auction house to shut down&nbsp;following mink decimation</a>

Authorities say there is no risk of the graves spreading the coronavirus, but locals worry about the risk of contaminating drinking water and a bathing lake less than 200 metres away.

Earlier,&nbsp;Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen broke down on Thursday when visiting a mink farmer who lost his herd following the government's order this month to cull all 17 million mink in the country to curb the spread of coronavirus.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/danish-pm-breaks-down-over-mink-culling-345778/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Frederiksen has faced opposition calls to resign and a vote of no confidence in parliament after an order by the government in early November, which it later admitted was illegal, to cull the country's entire mink population.

The order was given after authorities found COVID-19 outbreaks at hundreds of mink farms, including a new strain of the virus, suspected of being able to compromise the efficacy of vaccines.

"We have two generations of really skilled mink farmers, father and son, who in a very, very short time have had their life's work shattered," Frederiksen told reporters after a meeting with a mink farmer and his son at their farm near Kolding in Western&nbsp;Denmark.

"It has been emotional for them, and... Sorry. It has for me too," Frederiksen said with a wavering voice, pausing for breath in between words.

The move to cull&nbsp;Denmark's entire mink population, one of the world's biggest and highly valued for the quality of its fur, has left the government reeling after it admitted it did not have the legal basis to order the culling of healthy mink.

After a tumultuous couple of weeks since the order was given on Nov. 4, the Minister of Agriculture, Mogens Jensen, stepped down last week after an internal investigation revealed a flawed political process.

Denmark&nbsp;has proposed a ban on all mink breeding in the country until 2022. Tage Pedersen, head of the Danish mink breeders' association, said this month the industry, which employs around 6,000 people and exports fur pelts worth $800 million annually, is finished.

Denmark's opposition says the cull of healthy mink should not have been initiated before compensation plans were in place for the owners and workers at some 1,100 mink farms.

Denmark's government said on Friday it wants to dig up mink that were culled to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, after some resurfaced from mass graves. Denmark is facing a new horror, as cadavers of the culled minks have re-emerged from the earth, as per footage from local channels.

Denmark's government said on Friday it wants to dig up mink that were culled to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, after some resurfaced from mass graves. Denmark is facing a new horror, as cadavers of the culled minks have re-emerged from the earth, as per footage from local channels. The macabre phenomenon was observed in a military training field outside the western town of Holstebro, where thousands of minks had been put into an improvised mass grave. Newspapers have referred to them as the "zombie mink". Also read: Back from dead? Zombie minks rise from graves to 'exact revenge' after being culled Calling it a natural phenomenon, the local police said they ''got lifted by pressure from gases released by the decomposition.'' Denmark had ordered all farmed mink to be culled early this month after finding that 12 people had been infected by a mutated strain of the virus that causes COVID-19, which passed from humans to mink and back to humans. The decision led to 17 million animals being destroyed and to the resignation last week of Food and Agriculture Minister Morgens Jensen, after it was determined that the order was illegal. Jensen's replacement, Rasmus Prehn, said on Friday he supported the idea of digging up the animals and incinerating them. He said he had asked the environmental protection agency look into whether it could be done, and parliament would be briefed on the issue on Monday. The macabre burial sites, guarded 24 hours a day to keep people and animals away, have drawn complaints from area residents about possible health risks. Also read: World's largest fur auction house to shut down following mink decimation Authorities say there is no risk of the graves spreading the coronavirus, but locals worry about the risk of contaminating drinking water and a bathing lake less than 200 metres away. Earlier, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen broke down on Thursday when visiting a mink farmer who lost his herd following the government's order this month to cull all 17 million mink in the country to curb the spread of coronavirus. Frederiksen has faced opposition calls to resign and a vote of no confidence in parliament after an order by the government in early November, which it later admitted was illegal, to cull the country's entire mink population. The order was given after authorities found COVID-19 outbreaks at hundreds of mink farms, including a new strain of the virus, suspected of being able to compromise the efficacy of vaccines. "We have two generations of really skilled mink farmers, father and son, who in a very, very short time have had their life's work shattered," Frederiksen told reporters after a meeting with a mink farmer and his son at their farm near Kolding in Western Denmark. "It has been emotional for them, and... Sorry. It has for me too," Frederiksen said with a wavering voice, pausing for breath in between words. The move to cull Denmark's entire mink population, one of the world's biggest and highly valued for the quality of its fur, has left the government reeling after it admitted it did not have the legal basis to order the culling of healthy mink. After a tumultuous couple of weeks since the order was given on Nov. 4, the Minister of Agriculture, Mogens Jensen, stepped down last week after an internal investigation revealed a flawed political process. Denmark has proposed a ban on all mink breeding in the country until 2022. Tage Pedersen, head of the Danish mink breeders' association, said this month the industry, which employs around 6,000 people and exports fur pelts worth $800 million annually, is finished. Denmark's opposition says the cull of healthy mink should not have been initiated before compensation plans were in place for the owners and workers at some 1,100 mink farms.

Denmark to dig up 'zombie mink' that resurfaced from mass graves

The world's largest fur auction house,&nbsp;Denmark's Kopenhagen Fur, announced on Friday that is going to close after the government's order of culling the country's entire mink population over fears of COVID-19.

The company is planning to liquidate assets dispose of its excess items away. It and shut down&nbsp;in 2-3 years and&nbsp;hold final fur&nbsp;auctions in 2021, 2022, and possibly 2023.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-covid-scare-denmark-shaken-by-mink-culling-342511/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The news implies that 300 individuals will lose their positions, as indicated by CEO Jesper Lauge.&nbsp;

"Tragically, the loss of the Danish mink creation implies that the proprietorship base vanishes and in this way, the organization's administration has chosen to slowly cut back the organization and make a controlled closure over a time of 2-3 years," said Lauge.&nbsp;

End of an era

Kopenhagen Fur was established in 1930 and is possessed by individuals from the Danish Fur Breeders Association.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/denmark-prime-minister-has-apologized-for-the-recent-mass-mink-culling-342426/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As indicated by the public authority, there are 1,139 mink fur breeders in Denmark and there have been coronavirus&nbsp;cases in 207 of them.

The Danish government put forward hastily drawn up legislation on Tuesday to back up its order to cull all the country's farmed&nbsp;mink, admitting it lacked the legal basis for the measure aimed at preventing human contagion of a mutated coronavirus strain.

Authorities last week embarked on a plan to eliminate Denmark's entire population of 17 million&nbsp;mink, one of the world's biggest, saying the new strain could move to humans and evade future COVID-19 vaccines.

The world's largest fur auction house, Denmark's Kopenhagen Fur, announced on Friday that is going to close after the government's order of culling the country's entire mink population over fears of COVID-19.

The world's largest fur auction house, Denmark's Kopenhagen Fur, announced on Friday that is going to close after the government's order of culling the country's entire mink population over fears of COVID-19. The company is planning to liquidate assets dispose of its excess items away. It and shut down in 2-3 years and hold final fur auctions in 2021, 2022, and possibly 2023. The news implies that 300 individuals will lose their positions, as indicated by CEO Jesper Lauge. "Tragically, the loss of the Danish mink creation implies that the proprietorship base vanishes and in this way, the organization's administration has chosen to slowly cut back the organization and make a controlled closure over a time of 2-3 years," said Lauge. End of an era Kopenhagen Fur was established in 1930 and is possessed by individuals from the Danish Fur Breeders Association. As indicated by the public authority, there are 1,139 mink fur breeders in Denmark and there have been coronavirus cases in 207 of them. The Danish government put forward hastily drawn up legislation on Tuesday to back up its order to cull all the country's farmed mink, admitting it lacked the legal basis for the measure aimed at preventing human contagion of a mutated coronavirus strain. Authorities last week embarked on a plan to eliminate Denmark's entire population of 17 million mink, one of the world's biggest, saying the new strain could move to humans and evade future COVID-19 vaccines.

World's largest fur auction house to shut down following mink decimation

Last week, Denmark decided to cull all its mink. Up to 17 million mink are being culled because of the spread of the Wuhan Virus. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Covid scare: Denmark shaken by mink culling