‘Europe’s starvation for frogs’ legs is a risk to the survival of the species’

Christmas dinners within the UK are all about turkey, goose, nut roasts or veggie Wellingtons. But over the Channel, consumption of frogs’ legs – often sautéed with garlic and lemon juice or fried in breadcrumbs – peaks through the festive season.

Around 100 million frogs are killed every year simply to provide the French market, the biggest client. But thousands and thousands extra are killed for consuming in Belgium and the Netherlands, the place the dish can be in style. At least 25 million additionally ended up on dinner plates within the UK between 2000-2019, in line with the latest information.

Native frogs within the European Union are protected in opposition to seize and killing. But imports of untamed caught frogs are nonetheless allowed. The NGOs Robin de Bois and Pro Wildlife have launched a marketing campaign to get shoppers to suppose twice earlier than they purchase frog legs, pointing to attainable species extinction, animal cruelty and the unsanitary situations through which they’re transported.

They warn that whereas many may imagine the frogs on their plate come from close by ponds and swamps, as an alternative, the overwhelming majority are caught within the wild in Indonesia, Turkey and Vietnam.

The frogs are then amputated whereas alive with scissors, axes or knives – a horrific sight I just lately witnessed in a Hanoi moist market.

Biologist Sandra Altherr from Pro Wildlife stated: “Our campaign illustrates the many problems associated with a dish that is consumed carelessly but causes an ecological disaster with millions of animals suffering. Where frogs are missing as a natural insect control, the use of pesticides increases.”

This occurred in India and Bangladesh within the Nineteen Eighties earlier than each nations banned frog exports. Experts have additionally warned that large-bodied frogs in Turkey may turn into extinct by 2030 on account of the massive demand.

“Amphibians are highly susceptible to pollution, the climate crisis and deadly chytrid fungus,” added Sandra. “On top of this, the EU’s huge and ongoing hunger for frogs’ legs is decimating wild frog populations in an increasing number of countries.”

“The decline of many frog species is a global problem that is being greatly accelerated by just a handful of European nations. The capture and killing of native frogs is banned so we must not then support environmentally disastrous practices abroad.”