Mink VIRUS Act

The Mink VIRUS Act (H.R. 3783) would phase out and eventually ban the farming of mink for their fur in the United States. If passed, the bill would prohibit mink farming operations starting one year after it becomes law and would require that any remaining mink be humanely euthanized according to federal veterinary standards.

To assist affected business owners, the bill directs the Department of Agriculture to establish a compensation program that pays farmers for the market value of their operations and the costs of closing them down. In exchange for these payments, farm owners must agree to a permanent easement on their property that prevents the land from being used for fur farming in the future. The legislation is intended to address public health concerns regarding the transmission of viruses between mink and humans while providing a financial transition for those in the industry.