Covid mink compensation DKK2bn more expensive

Compensation for former mink farmers will be significantly higher than expected after the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries found, among other things, a calculation error in the statements, according to Finans on the basis of a briefing the ministry has given to the Parliamentary Finance Committee. The compensation is expected to be around two billion kroner higher. The calculation error is that wages paid to mink farmers have been included twice in the calculations of compensation. This has given a wrong picture of production costs, which on paper has reduced the mink farmers’ earnings.
     In addition, the first decisions on compensation have shown a higher level of compensation per mink skin produced than originally estimated, and several more elements are included in the compensation scheme than was originally assumed. The compensation of mink farmers has so far been estimated to be DKK 8.9 billion in total. With the new calculation, the amount will thus increase to more than DKK 10 billion. However, it is a figure that will still be subject to uncertainty as the ministry has yet to consolidate the calculation, writes Finans. /ritzau/